NAN-ELS-6
Tourism
By Collins Yakubu-hammer
Abuja, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) As the world celebrates `World Tourism Day (WTD)’, Mr Aliyu Badaki has urged government at all levels to reflect, harness and promote the country’s tourism potential to boost the economy .
Badaki, President of Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria (HATMAN), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
He said Nigeria had nothing to celebrate, adding that there was nothing tangible to show in terms of tourism destinations in the country.
“The World Tourism Day should be a day to reflect back on where we started tourism and where we are today.
“As far as I am concerned, there is not much to show except what this administration is trying to package through the Presidential Council on Tourism.
“If they can quickly inaugurate and kick-start their work; it would go a long way to promote the sector.
“But unfortunately, recession has set in; and it is affecting the industry in terms of peoples’ movement; no money, workshops that need to be held are not being held.
“Levies, multiple taxes and overhead on hotels are problems that do not allow tourism to thrive; but if some of these things are taken care of, it will help,’’ Badaki said.
The HATMAN president emphasised on the promotion of cultural festivals and destinations to attract tourists into the country.
He said “the level of the way we promote our tourism sites are low and destinations are not well developed.’’
According to him, the country has a lot of cultural festivals which are capable of attracting people all over the world, are not being promoted for people to know.
“We also have some artifacts across the country that is worth looking at, but are not being taken care of and promoted.
“Most of our game reserves are left fallow; what we have in `Obudu’ can compete favourably with any part of the world.
“But if they are not adequately showcased or articulated to be able to be promoted, it will be a difficult thing.
“If government can create an enabling environment where private sector can come in to develop such tourism attractions, it will go a long way to transform the industry,’’ he said.
The HATMAN president stressed the need to train tour guards, travel agencies and those in the hospitality sectors.
“If they are well trained and all these things are well promoted and harnessed, we are good to go.’’
NAN reports that the formal celebration of the 2016 `World Tourism Day’ would be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sept. 27 in collaboration with Cable News Network (CNN).
The theme is “Tourism for All-Promoting Universal Accessibility.’’ (NAN)
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Edited by Ese E. Ekama