The former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said if well development and with government commitment, tourism can pull Nigeria out of current economic recession.
Obasanjo who made this known on Tuesday in Lagos at the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA)’ non elective Annual General Meeting advised NANTA on the need to emphasise on inbound tourism instead of outbound tourism
NANTA President, Bankole Bernard read the message from the former Nigerian President at the AGM, which had the theme: Tourism in a recessed economy-The way forward. Obasanjo noted that with tourism, there should be nothing like recession in the country.
The former President stressed the need for the promotion of domestic tourism in the country.
He stated that his desire is to make Abeokuta to become one of the best tourist destination in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhhamed stated that despite the stage of tourism in Nigeria, the impact of recession on jobs, financial and related businesses in the entire tourism industry is evident.
Alhaji Lai Muhammed who was represented by the acting director general of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Dr. Paul Adalikwu noted that the business liquidity situation and issues relating to exchange rate combine to impact on tourism recession.
He stated that the government is very much aware of the implications and difficult times that recession posses for global business travels and tourism in general.
The minister said it was in response to these challenges among other things that the administration is not relenting on its drive of diversifying the economy.
“Tourism stands to be a major beneficiary of this initiative as new investments, jobs and growth will be stimulated in the sector. The way forward for tourism in a recessed economy calls for partnerships, creativity and innovation backed by determination to succeed”, Lai Muhammed said.
The minister stated futher that the federal government has set in motion the process of fine tuning all details towards creating an enabling environment for tourism in Nigeria with a view to ensuring that the sector takes its rightful place in the economy.
He added that: “The government is working with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, UNWTO, the specialised agency in the United Nations in the field of tourism towards full implementation of the tourism master plan, attracting increased funding for the sector, enhancing the coordination of practitioners, tourism trade group and government, the re-enactment of the Presidential Council on Tourism, review of tourism related laws and policy”.
He noted that government determination to implement the Tourism Satellite Account is to ensure that the actual contribution of tourism to the economy is properly captured as well as to track the direct and indirect effects on tourist spending on output and job creation among others in order to assist the ministry in its determined drive to attract improved funding for the sector.
He advised NANTA to improve professionalism among their members.
The minister said the ministry and stakeholders have the responsibility for tourism in Nigeria to succeed.
In his welcome address earlier, the president of NANTA, Mr. Bankole Bernard said the nation in recession today is not the issue, but finding a true solution to the various challenges the economic meltdown presents.
Bernard stated that the unstable and scarce foreign exchange has led to partial and for some others total withdrawal of the airlines from the Nigerian airspace.
The restriction of some inventories by some airlines like SOTO/SOTI tickets and finally the closure of Abuja airport are few of the challenges the travel industry is currently facing, NANTA boss maintained.
H said these challenges has brough hardship and unfriendly business atmosphere to their members, adding that the scenario presents a huge burden to them at NANTA.
In his key note speech, the former director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren said Nigeria should promote Nollywood because it is not in recess.
He said the country should promote and sell Nollywood which is not in recess.
Demuren stressed the need to market Nigeria as a tourist destination by promoting festivals and events like Durbar, Eyo and others.
He said what the British Airways is doing is what Nigerian carriers should be doing because the country has the business, the population among others.
The former NTDC boss pointed out the huge benefit the country can derive from religious tourism, adding that the impact of synagogue Church of All Nations, Redeemed Christian Church of God and Winners Chapel is enormous.
He advised on the need for NANTA and their members need to take advantage of this religious tourism.
Demuren urged the government on the need to ease the burden of visa on arrival.
Speaking also, the managing director of Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole said cargo business is the best area to go into for now.
He said the airline has diversified into Agriculture by supplying catering outfits that service the aviation industry.
At the event, Olufemi Adefope, Mr. Babatunde Akala, and elder Jerry Nwosu were honoured for their contribution to the growth of NANTA.
Photo caption:
The former director general of NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren backed by NANTA executives presenting award to Mr. Olufemi Adefope at the event in Lagos
