Mr Oluwatoyin Balogun, the Programme Officer, Hospitality and Tourism Promotion Initiative, says the nation’s tourism sector needs a facelift in areas of development, promotion, management and sustainability.
Balogun said this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
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“Nigeria’s tourism sector needs rescue in terms of development, promotion, management and sustainability.
“To achieve this, the following questions need to be asked; what are the necessary factors needed for the development and sustenance of tourism industry in Nigeria? What are the benefits of tourism to the development of Nigeria?
`What are the problems and challenges of tourism in Nigeria? And what are the ways of improving tourism in Nigeria? These questions require appropriate answers in order to rescue the sector,’’ he said.
According to him, Nigeria is a rich country when it comes to tourism because, the country is endowed with all it takes to be a tourists’ destination.
“The country’s tourism potentials range from natural, man-made and cultural attractions, but they lack management, enhancing and supporting infrastructure around the attractions for easy access and development.
“These tourism potentials are still much in their natural form awaiting interested investors.
“Tourism today is a big market and has contributed greatly to the world economy. It is a big surprise that countries like Nigeria have not seized the opportunities in tourism development.
“Nigeria is a mono-economy and her economy revenue comes majorly from the crude oil. A country of over 170 million population, needs to spread her pentacles in the area of income generation.
“It is high time for the country to diversify her economy for more revenue generation, and tourism is seen as one of the best alternatives.’’
Balogun said that the country’s natural and human resources should be used wisely in transforming the tourism industry to create employment and generate foreign exchange.
“It is vital for the government to ensure the provision of basic amenities such as electricity, good water, good communication system, good roads and others closer to tourists’ attractions in order to boost their development and for accessibility.
“In addition, all the means of transportation – land, water and air must be made safer, cheaper and comfortable for tourists.
“Security and safety are very important when it comes to tourism operation and implementation in a country.
“Government should endeavor to put in place proper safety and security mechanisms in the country.’’
The programme officer said that the country’s tourism potentials should be given publicity through local, foreign and social media to attract investors and tourists from across the world.
“However, this should not be the function of the government alone, but also private individuals and organisations.
“The image of the country needs to be rebuilt internally and internationally, and the good news should be spread out to the world in general,’’ he said.
