Tourism stakeholders crave government’s support, collaboration to groom industry
Collaboration
By Taiye Olayemi
Osun (Ile-Ife), May 24, 2019 (NAN) Tourism stakeholders at the ongoing Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) have solicited government’s support and collaborations for the promotion of the industry.
They said on Friday that the nation’s tourism industry had been lagging behind in terms of growth due to lack of collaborations, unity among stakeholders and lack of government’s support.
The AGM which was held at Ife Grand Resorts and Leisure had as its theme: ” Impact of Culture, Partnership and Governance on Nigeria Tourism Development.”
Mr Nkereuwem Onung, Chairman of NATOP Board of Trustees, urged the Federal Government to pay serious attention to the tourism industry.
He said that if the sector could be well developed,the country would generate huge revenue from it.
He said that tourism must be removed from the residual list as stated in the constitution as this had affected its growth over the years.
” Nigeria tourism industry has not faired well because the industry remains on the residual list. Government must pay serious attention to it and place it on the concurrent list,” he said.
Onung urged members of NATOP to work unanimously with the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) to achieve common goals in taking the industry to the next level.
Earlier, Mr Rabo Saleh, FTAN President, urged the Federal Government to pay attention to the industry for huge and remarkable growth.
He said that the agricultural sector was initially on the residual list like tourism but had gained government’s representation which accounted for its positive impact.
He said this should be replicated for the tourism industry to enable it function at its peak.
Also, Mr Ikechi Uko, the Organiser of Africa Travel and Tourism Market, decried lack of collaborations among tourism stakeholders.
Uko said that about seven parastatals were meant to collaborate to make the tourism industry an envy of most nations but this had not been the story.
” We have extremely poor habit toward tourism, we must do culture of trust in travel and tourism to make it grow.
” Collaborations should be encouraged amongst us to properly groom tourism
” We are known for possesssing high sense of tolerance, our traditional culture of tolerance should be exhibited in our transactions and relationships to move the industry forward.
” We should draw inspiration from the proceeds of the partnerships built in the past,” he said.
Uko said that the major problem tha the nation’s tourism industry was facing was that many of its leaders were not there to serve but had ulterior motive different from making progress.
Also Mr Gabe Onah, Chairman, Cross River Carnival and Festivals’ Commission, said that due to different collaborations, carnival Calabar had engaged in, it had pulled remarkable success stories over the years.
He said that had accounted for carnival culture to be coveted globally as a way of promoting tourism industries.
He urged the Federal Government to explore the countless opportunities in the industry to transform communities by engaging the youth.
He said that would engage their attentions positively instead of engaging themselves in frivolities.
He urged tour operators to add value to themselves through creativity, innovations and engaging the public sector.
The NATOP President, Mrs Bilikisu Abdul, appreciated everyone present at the AGM.
She urged them to take bold steps that would ensure that the nation’s tourism sites were well promoted for international recognition.(NAN)
PTB/AO/ PAD
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Edited by Angela Okisor/ Peter Dada