LAGOS – The Federal Government has estimated about N12.3 trillion gains from tourism by 2032, just as it projected that the sector would create additional 2.6 million jobs within the period.
The government has also called on State governments to collaborate with it in revitalising the dying tourist attractions, such as the Obudu Mountain Resort and Yankari Game Reserve.
Mrs. Lola Ade-John, the Minister of Tourism, stated this on Friday in Abuja in her speech at the World Tourism Day 2024 with the theme: ‘Tourism and Peace.’
Ade-John stated that the government aligned with the projections of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which showed that Nigeria’s tourism sector would create 2.6 million new jobs in the coming decade and contributing N12.3 trillion to the economy by 2032.
She insisted that for the projections to come to fruition, all hands must be on deck with private sector and State governments collaborating with the Federal government.
The minister emphasised that in today’s world, where divisions were more pronounced, tourism serves as a bridge to foster harmony, stressing that tourism was more than an industry, rather a pathway to peace and reconciliation.
She added: “Every interaction between a visitor and a host is an opportunity to build bridges of understanding. Our goal is not only to promote Nigeria’s beauty and culture, but to leverage these experiences to create a peaceful and prosperous nation.”
According to her, the government was focused on driving sustainable development through a robust national tourism policy in collaboration with the Nigeria Economic Summit Group and the Tourism Development Master Plan.
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These, she said were being revitalised under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She expressed that a key component of this plan was the reactivation of the Presidential Council on Tourism, aimed at providing the leadership and framework necessary to steer the industry forward.
She also unveiled the plans by the government to embrace digital transformation within the tourism industry.
This she said involved leveraging technology to improve Nigeria’s tourism infrastructure, including the creation of a comprehensive tourism database, website, mobile app. and virtual tours.
These initiatives, supported by private sector partnerships, she declared were designed to make Nigerian tourism more accessible and appealing to global audiences while empowering the country’s tech-savvy youth.
On the revamping the country’s tourist attractions, Ade-John said this could only be achieved through partnerships.
She said these partnerships would focus on infrastructure development and investment, aimed at enhancing visitors’ experiences while stimulating local economies.
Besides, she said through initiatives such as the EcoGenesis Incubator Series, the Ministry was committed to skills development and entrepreneurship, providing opportunities for Nigerians to fully participate in the benefits of tourism.
These efforts, she explained were directly tied to reducing poverty and fostering peace within communities, addressing some of the root causes of conflict.
