Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation NTDC has asked State Governments, Investors and other critical stakeholders to focus more on development of domestic tourism in order to get good return on investment in the sector
Director General of the corporation, Folorunsho Coker made this known on Tuesday during the celebration of World Tourism Day organized by the Ogun State Government held inside Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, the State capital
Coker represented by Azeez Akinsanya, also stressed the need for stakeholders to leverage on the unlimited opportunities being provided by technology to promote domestic tourism, particularly the culture and creative industries aspects of the sector
"At NTDC, we realized that any proposed strategic path for recovery envisaged for the industry must leverage on innovative and disruptive tech ideas to enhance and promote domestic tourism",he stated
The NTDC boss reflecting on the theme of this year's global celebration" Rethinking Tourism", says, "The promotion of domestic tourism is the first step to reset the Tourism and Hospitality industry in a post-pandemic era where there are endless possibilities for development of our rural communities where a lot of our tourist sites are located.
According to him, "Domestic tourism is cheaper, with lesser restrictions, educates the citizens of the country, generates employment, generates revenue, reduces poverty, galvanizes economic growth across sectors including agriculture and manufacturing, contributes to infrastructure upgrade in rural and urban areas by encouraging government's commitment to its development and enhances the creative sector"
Making reference to the statistics revealed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization in September, 2020 , he says domestic tourism is six times larger than International Tourism and accounts for more than 70% share of domestic trips globally.
Coker added that the Federal Government was particularly commited to the promotion of the culture and creative industries in the sector which he described as the largest employer of labour
His words,"The culture and creative industries have been some of the priority sectors earmarked for intensive development in the Federal Government's stimulus strategy as laid out in the Economic Renewal and Growth Plan (ERGP). This is a major effort being made to recoup lost grounds and create new value that drives sturdier economic growth, thereby resuscitating and expanding the jobs and income pool"
"Rethinking Tourism", deepens the narrative on the relevance of Tourism as one of the vital economic sectors globally; it remains the largest employer of labour, providing livelihoods to millions of people, most notably women and youth. It is a factor in the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and curbing urban migration, among others. Tourism's economic and social footprint is greater than that of any economic sector", Coker added
"The creative and culture industries in Nigeria are an extended composite of a number of interconnected and linked sectors, cutting through a sizeable gamut of economic activities and responsible for between 10 and 15 million jobs, from music to design, fashion, film, television, radio, photography, architecture, printing and performance arts. Also, hotel and hospitality, publishing, information technology, gaming, software development, advertising and digital marketing,etc"
The State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon.Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo expressed the readiness of the Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration to always partner with organized private sector to develop and promote tourism potentials in the state
She recalled the efforts of the present administration at developing some of the tourist sites including Olumo Rock and notable historical tourist sites in Abeokuta and other parts of the state
The commissioner speaking on the theme of the 2022 global celebration, says "Rethinking Tourism" will require restructuring business models so that put people first
According to her, " Tourism has always work for young people, for women and for communities"
"But now it must truly work with them as well.We need new voices as well as new ideas if we are to transform our sector and build a better tourism for all", she stated
The event was spiced with a number of goodwill messages from the major stakeholders and cultural dance performances by the State Cultural Troupe and other traditionists
Govermor Dapo Abiodun was represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako- Oyedele, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Olakunle Oluomo as well as top government functionaries, traditional rulers, tourism practitioners amongst other critical stakeholders
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