NAN-F-7
Tourism
By Mike Mbonye
Johannesburg, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Mr Fidelis Igbokwe, a South Africa-based Nigerian ICT expert, on Monday called on the Federal Government to use foreign missions to promote travel, tourism and culture.
Igbokwe, the founder of Trppns Application, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg, South Africa, that the missions should use such events to invite Nigerian artistes and personalities to perform.
“ Through such events, notable Nigerian musicians and cultural groups should be invited to perform while tourism sites in the country will be prominently featured to attract foreigners,” he said.
Igbokwe, who developed a travel and tourism application with safety and security features, recalled that he had travelled with a South African trade mission to the Republic of Ireland two years ago
According to him, the South African foreign mission used the opportunity to promote travel and tourism which is yielding dividends.
The expert said figures from the South African statistics office showed that 3.5 million travellers came through the borders of that country in August.
He said one third of the travellers were tourists who came with their money into the country.
“ Nigerian missions abroad can organise travel, tourism and cultural events.
“ Our artistes should be invited to such events to promote our music, culture and other things that can attract tourists.
“ In the same way, tourist sites in the country should be properly harnessed such that visitors can easily locate them, book for accommodation and transport as well as make necessary arrangements online,” he said.
Igbokwe said figures had shown that travel and tourism created 1.8 million jobs locally for South Africans, adding that Nigeria has potentials to create five million jobs if properly harnessed.
“ If the Federal Government can tap into the opportunities created by travel and tourism, millions of jobs will be created while more revenue would be earned.
“Also, some tourists may be influenced in what they see. If they arrive and see that the site has big potentials, they can decide to invest there.
“ We need to look at the bigger picture and take advantage of the huge diversity and natural resources of our culture and tourism,” he said. (NAN)
MEMO/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)