NAN-ELS-5
Tourism
By Collins Yakubu-hammer
Abuja, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) The Association of Tourism Practioneers of Nigeria (ATPN) said it was set to establish its presence in all states of the federation to boost the tourism sector.
The National President of ATPN, Malam Kabir Malan, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that ATPN, established in 1990, had been in the vanguard of promoting and facilitating the participation of the private sector in the development, marketing and promotion of tourism.
He added that “the Association fosters the much-needed Public/Private sector partnership for accelerated development in the tourism industry in Nigeria, in tandem with some of its set objectives.
“These set objectives are in line with global standard practice and a road map that has proven to be the most effective.”
Malan noted that it was in recognition of this that the Federal Government made ATPN member of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Tourism Development Cooperation.
According to him, the Association has continued to monitor the effects of the fall in oil price in the international market on the Nigerian economy.
He explained that the fall in oil price had adversely impacted on revenue receipts, with corresponding drawbacks on the fiscal capabilities of states.
He said that “the tourism potential in Plateau State especially places it in the most advantaged position to lead in the development of the sector in Nigeria.
“The state has proven this, both at the public and private sector levels of the industry.
“Against this background, the National Executive Council of ATPN plans to go round the country to set up caretaker committees that will drive the Association’s aims and objectives.’’
NAN reports that the Association recently inaugurated its Plateau branch in Jos to pursue the realisation of its objectives to boost the sector in the state. (NAN)
CMY/DUA/HA
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Edited by Dada Ahmed/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu