National Tourism Policy overview upholds promotion of home tourism- NESG
By Taiye Olayemi
The Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), stated that the present overview of the National Tourism Policy was centered on selling home tourism.
Ms Ngozi Ngoka, Thematic Lead, Tourism and Hospitality Industries, Thematic Group, stated the overview was a deliberate transfer to make sure that tourism contributed to the Gross Domestic Product(GPD) of the nation’s financial system as obtained in different nations.
Ngoka stated this on Saturday in Lagos, in the course of the tourism and hospitality stakeholders validation of the 2024 Draft of the tourism coverage.
She, nonetheless, urged Nigerians to journey throughout the nation for wealth creation.
She said that the tourism coverage which was initially made in 1990, was first reviewed in 2005 to strategically maintain the sector.
“The tourism coverage incorporates loads. It’s one of the best factor that may occur to the tourism trade.
“This is as a result of for the primary time we’re going to have a complete doc that streamlines the way in which tourism will work within the nation and we have now a really incredible workforce engaged on it.
“We are excited that that is the primary time it’s going to come back to fruition.
“A big part of this tourism policy is to develop the domestic tourism because a lot of countries that have tourism as a major contributor to its GDP started by traveling domestically,” she stated.
Ngoka used South Africa as a case examine.
According to her, throughout apartheid, South Africa managed its home tourism, by the point apartheid ended, tourism turned a giant marketplace for them.
“We, therefore, encourage everybody to travel within Nigeria, to use our domestic products,” she suggested.
Ngoka said that many countries have been in a position to revive their financial system by means of tourism.
She stated that tourism remained the bedrock for all financial actions.
Speaking additional on the coverage overview, Ngoka stated it was needed to take care of the integrity and talent of the tourism coverage and information the trade towards international competitiveness, and sustainable progress.
She stated the overview concerned updating the coverage to replicate new authorized and regulatory necessities.
She stated it might additionally contain incorporating technological developments and aligning with present finest practices for operational excellence.
She additionally stated that the overview would specify how dangers could be managed successfully and how one can reply proactively to adjustments in market circumstances and vacationer preferences.
“In reviewing the nationwide tourism coverage, our imaginative and prescient is to rework Nigeria into a number one tourism vacation spot in Africa and globally.
“Also to harness our cultural heritage, pure landscapes, inventive and sports activities industries, and vibrant communities to draw vacationers and traders.
“Our guideline is on sustainability, innovation, advertising and marketing and collaboration.
“We expect that at the end of the day, we will record increased tourist arrivals, create jobs, and improve global perception of Nigeria as a premiere tourist destination,” she stated.
Ngoka stated the coverage overview workforce have been divided into seven teams.
The teams embody: Infrastructure improvement; Marketing and promotion; Regulatory and institutional framework.
Others are: Stakeholders engagement, Economic affect; Implementation plan and Sustainability and environmental concerns.
“We encourage all stakeholders, together with authorities officers, non-public sectors and group representatives, to actively take part within the implementation course of.
“By working together, we can create a sustainable, inclusive and competitive tourism sector that significantly contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development,” she stated (NAN) (nannews.ng)
