By Afolabi Osho, Jambo Africa Online’s Commissioning Editor: West Africa
The 2nd NATOP FCT/Northern Zone Roundtable held on October 2, 2023, was a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s tourism sector, ushering in a new era of growth and potential realization. Organized by the Nigerian Association of Tourism Operators (NATOP), FCT/Northern Zone chapter, this event took place at the Destination Hotel in Gidanka, Wuse 2, Abuja. The occasion was graced by a distinguished array of guests and featured insightful discussions on the discovery, packaging, and promotion of tourism destinations in the FCT and Northern Nigeria.
Unlocking the Riches of Northern Nigeria
The event commenced with a warm welcome address from Mrs. Peace Iyare, the Coordinator of NATOP FCT/Northern Zone. Her words set the stage for a day filled with innovative dialogues about promoting FCT and Northern Nigerian destinations. She eloquently stated, “We gather to explore the untapped tourism potential of the Federal Capital Territory/Northern Nigeria, a region that holds a wealth of cultural heritage, historical sites, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant communities.”
Tourism: A Path to Economic Growth
Mrs. Ume Udo, the National President of NATOP, emphasized the significance of tourism as a key player in the nation’s economic landscape. She noted that viewing tourism as a business can revolutionize Nigeria’s economy, driving investments, human capital development, and skills training. She highlighted the pivotal role tourism can play in transforming the economic landscape of the entire country.
Tourism: A Credible Source of Wealth
Dr. Edwin Enenta, Director of Tourism at NIHOTOURS, representing the Director General NITOHOURS, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, shed light on the economic potential of tourism. He emphasized that tourism is a sustainable source of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria, aside from traditional oil exports. Anita underlined the need for a shift towards prioritizing the transformation of potential tourism assets into thriving destinations.
Youth and Tourism: A Perfect Match
An interesting revelation came from Dr. Enenta as he discussed the demographic advantage of Nigeria, particularly the youth population. With over 200 million youths aged 15-24, Nigeria boasts the largest youth population in Africa. He pointed out that youth is a driving force of the economy. With 280 million people employed in the tourism industry worldwide, it offers unparalleled wealth generation opportunities. Tourism serves every stratum of society, and its far-reaching impact stimulates investments and bolsters economies.
Public-Private Partnerships: The Key to Unlocking Tourism’s Goldmine
Dr. Enenta proposed that the responsibility of transforming Nigeria’s tourism potential should not rest solely on the private sector. Instead, he emphasized the need for public-private partnerships, in which both government and businesses play a role in realizing tourism’s potential. He urged the government and stakeholders to elevate the status of tourism attractions to destinations, as it is destinations that bring in substantial revenue.
Collaboration and Partnership: The Crux of Tourism Growth
The panel discussions, expertly moderated by Mrs. Mary Saadat, delved into the need for collaboration and partnership to rejuvenate Nigeria’s tourism sector. Mrs. Saadat emphasized that tourism ranks among the top 10 income-earning and employment sectors in the world economy. However, Nigeria’s share in global tourism is just a mere 3%, and none of that is attributed to the nation, according to the UNWTO report.
The panelists presented innovative solutions to the challenges of discovery, packaging, and promotion of tourism destinations. Anne Dogo, Director of the FCT Tourism Department, spoke about the successful partnership model that the FCT has initiated. This model encourages individuals and organizations to become Abuja destination ambassadors, fostering collaboration with the department to promote Abuja as a desirable destination.
Mr. Amos Opoola, National Financial Secretary, emphasized the importance of partnerships and collaboration in the multifaceted tourism sector. He aptly noted that like the clapping of hands, collaboration requires the cooperation of both hands, representing the diverse stakeholders who must work hand in hand to realize the goals of destination promotion.
Mr. Mark Moore, a Domestic Tourism Advocate, underscored the pivotal role of security in tourism. He commended the collaborative efforts of NATOP members and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in fostering security for tourism. Former Corp Marshal Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, present at the roundtable, was lauded for his role in creating this partnership.
The final panelist, Hon. Shakir Kehinde, President of the Afro Caribbean Chamber of Culture and Tourism, stressed the importance of synergy in Nigeria’s tourism sector. He advocated for private sector collaboration with the government to explore and promote tourism, particularly in the Northern Zone and the FCT. He noted that every one of Nigeria’s 774 local governments possesses heritage and natural attractions that can be developed into destinations, echoing the successful model in Kigali, Rwanda, where tourism is seen as a major business.
In summary, the 2nd NATOP FCT/Northern Zone Roundtable was a platform for stakeholders to gain insight into transforming Nigeria’s tourism potential into a transformative sector. The event highlighted the need for collaboration, partnerships, and public-private efforts to unleash the wealth of tourism riches in Northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.
The wisdom shared by the panelists and speakers at the roundtable echoed a powerful message: it is time for Nigeria to recognize the goldmine that is its tourism industry and embark on a journey of transformation. By doing so, Nigeria can unlock the economic, cultural, and social benefits of tourism, truly becoming a destination of choice in the global tourism landscape.