Experts in the creative industry have said that the sector is capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic crisis if properly harnessed.
This was even as they noted that the tourism and hospitality sector contributes 10% globally to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, the Convener, Reset Summit Nigeria, Olugbenga Komolafe said the summit was organised in partnership with TLC Harmony(UK) and Transcorp Hilton Hotels.
According to him, the reset summit aims to achieve business transformation with a measurable positive impact on nature, people and the planet in Africa, specifically Nigeria.
Komolafe who is also the Executive Producer, Mall of Fame Nigeria stressed that the event will promote deliverables that will ensure substantive policy and action-oriented recommendations.
He said the recommendations will be constituted by Governing institutions, corporate executives, investors, Africans Leaders in diaspora and civil society leaders across the globe.
“We are here to further introduce the highly anticipated global assembly of sustainable tourism stakeholders in the quest for sustainable and regenerative tourism for hospitality, hotels, climate change advancements. It is a high-level multi stakeholders event which will be held in London,” he added.
While endorsing the initiative, Taleb Rifai, Former United Nations World Tourism Organisation said the initiative is in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Glasgow Declaration on Climate change For Tourism.
On her part, Founder TLC Harmony, Nicki Page said Africa, particularly Nigeria has the potential and opportunity to lead the creative industry adding that refusal to harness this would be an economic disadvantage to the country.
She described Nigeria as a destination and a lead in the creative industry stating that this informed the country’s selection as a destination hub, to connect and reset the creativity industry globally.
Her words: ” We think that Africa with Nigeria has the potential to lead the creative industry because if we don’t, we are going to face a critical crisis that we are already in.
“In Huawei, some of Ireland are on fire, in Spain fire is also consuming tourist destinations”.
Head of Secretariat, Afro-Caribbean Chamber of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Oba Olasunkanmi on his part maintained that Nigeria needs a reset in the tourism sector considering her rich tourism potentials.
In her contribution, Director General, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Victoria Akai stressed the need to look into the creative industry especially at a time when the country is overly dependent on oil revenue.
“If we are not patronising the industry, that is local tourism and hospitality, then it will be difficult for us to say we are going to raise any GDP out of it,” she added.
Ends
and then