Lagos Tourism Summit: Stakeholders commend LASG, demand more
Summit
By Taiye Baiyerohi
Lagos, April, 16, 2018 (NAN) Some Lagos state tourism stakeholders, on Monday, commended the Lagos State Government for creating a platform in which they could discuss problems and prospects of the industry.
They spoke during the Lagos State tourism summit, with the theme ” Destination Lagos: Towards a Sustainable Tourism-Driven Economy”, at Eko Hotels and Suites.
Mr Rabo Saleh, President, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), said that the summit was a right step in the right direction.
He commended Lagos State Government for engaging various stakeholders in the industry for the summit.
“This is a great idea, giving opportunity to stakeholders to express their views and to contribute towards the development of tourism in the state.
“Lagos State is a pace setter, once they start something great, other states follow,’’ he said.
Saleh said that there were lots of opportunities in the industry yet untapped, and such a summit would open the eyes of investors to them.
He said that the government cannot do it alone, hence it requires Public Private Partnership.
Fred Amata, President, Guild of Movie Directors of Nigeria, said the Nigerian government, for too long, had undermined the power of tourism but everyone had now woken up from their slumber.
He also called for more of such summits, where stakeholders would be invited from across the world, to increase knowledge on ways to move the industry forward.
“This is a brilliant one but should be done frequently and more international tourism stakeholders should be invited for subsequent editions, ” he said.
Legendary musician, Adewale Ayuba said that such a summit should be organised twice a year, as it was an opportunity to promote Lagos’ rich culture in food, attire, and music, among others.
” Lagos State as the centre of excellence is laying good example for other states to ensure the nation’s tourism industry is taken to the next level.
” With this summit, I believe great feats will be achieved in years to come in Lagos State,” he said.
Comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, expressed excitement over the outcome of the summit, saying it would help government and stakeholders to plan adequately, having known where the shoes pinches.
He said that tourism practitioners were also encouraged to invest more in the industry because huge confidence had been developed with the summit.
“This is an indication that both government and stakeholders will go back to the drawing board to do things rightly for the growth of both in- bound and out-bound tourism.
“We all know that whoever fails to plan is planning to fail, and it is only a stupid man that will believe that he will wake up and become a billionaire without structures and plans in place.
“This is the first thing to do if results must be seen; planning is important and that is what we are doing now, ” he said.
Mr Anago Osho, President, Nigerian Tour Guides Association, also commended the effort of the state government in putting the summit together.
He urged the state government to ensure such summit was organised every three months, because it served as an opportunity for stakeholders to air their challenges, while solutions are jointly proffered to such problems.
“I’m happy to be part of this summit and for such brilliant initiative by the Lagos State Government, but we must have this frequently for positive results to be achieved,” he said.
Kunle Afolayan, a movie producer appreciated the Lagos State Government for the initiative, saying it would bridge the gap between movie producers and consumers also other fields of tourism.
“This is a good one, and it will bridge the gap between the consumers and producers in the tourism value chain,” he said.
Shina Peller, the Chief Executive Officer of Quilox Night Club, said that night life was another aspect of tourism which should be given huge attention in Nigeria.
“I’m giving it to Lagos State for this and want it to be done in all states, not only Lagos State, so that the development can be spread across the country,” he said.
Also, Jide Kosoko, a veteran actor, commended Lagos State Government for such developmental plans on tourism sector in the state.
He said that it was indeed a laudable initiative.
“The government has gotten it right with the tourism master plan.
“This is a welcoming development/idea; the government is ready for tourism business now.
“The government wants to commercialise tourism sector, which is good for economic development.
“The summit is to enlighten visitors and several stakeholders on how tourism assets can be minimise and utilise for economy growth,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the state government organised the summit in pursuance of its commitment to cause a major shift in marketing the tourism and creative potential inherent across the State, in a bid to enrich the master plan being prepared for the industry.
The State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said the summit was designed to provide useful content for the tourism roadmap that is poised to transform the vision of the State in becoming one of the foremost tourism destinations in Africa.
A former President of Ghana, Mr John Mahama, delivered a keynote address at the summit, which also had the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in attendance.
It attracted a large number of stakeholders in the tourism industry. (NAN)
PTB/SIO/BOLA/SOA
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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle