Nigeria needs point of entry tourist visa policy —Publisher, Come to Nigeria

A diaspora tourism advocate and promoter of Nigerian rich cultural heritage and , Mr Oladimeji Adisa has called on the Federal Government to see tourism as the alternative economic solution to unprecedented recession facing the country.

Adisa who is also the publisher/editor-in-chief of Come to Nigeria magazine disclosed this in an interview with Travelpulse&MICE in Ibadan on Tuesday,

adding that it is imperative for tourism to be giving it right place at a time like this.

According  to him, there are myriads of problems facing tourism in Nigeria, irrespective  of numerous calls by the government and people of Nigeria to see the sectors the new frontier that will heal the economy of foreign exchange from tourism when our borders remain closed to tourists.

Giving the urgency of a new tourism regime for Nigeria to attract foreign tourists, Adisa gave a scenario he encountered some four years ago.”in July 2012, I received a message from one of the followers of our refurbished website, Stephen Hammond, who wanted to know if the point of entry visa that was much talked about has started or not. The truth is that as at present, 2017, it is yet to be operational.

“I have travelled to countries like Egypt, South Africa, Tanzania, Morocco among others and discovered that they all operate visa at the point of entry, which gave citizens of some western countries seamless visa requirement to visit those countries.

“Their flexibility in visa procedures has enable them to continued  to generate foreign exchange from tourism.

Speaking on the Nigerian visa system which he said was complicated for foreigners, Adisa said, “Depending on where you live, some people pay more than $350 to obtain Nigerian visiting visas and the conditions and requirements for application still remain obsolete. The need for a change in visa policy is crucial to the success of tourism development in Nigeria.”

The London based Nigerian cultural promoter did not deny the fact that Nigeria is blessed with wonderful site that keeps both domestic and international tourists speechless at every visits but frowned at the inattention of government who are yet to discover tourism as a money-spinner.

“Whether you are making a first visit or renewing old acquaintances or even if you are a Nigeria in diaspora contemplating a visit, there is plenty to see in Nigeria,” Adisa added.

He, however beckoned on Federal Government to match their change agenda with action to see that tourism in Nigeria becomes visible in all ramifications to have an economic face.