THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has tasked members of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), to come out with an exciting branding copy strong enough to sell Nigeria as a desirable tourism destination nation to the world.
The Ooni, who made this call while receiving the NATOP President, Hajia Billy Abdul; Chief Operating Officer, Bboog Travels and Tours in his palace recently disclosed: “NATOP is the torch bearer of the tourism sector and by that nature it must be awake, alive and be proactive. It is an integral part of the tourism sector which relevance and essence cannot be relegated to the background if the nation earnestly desires to reap the fruits of the tourism sector. But in ascending this status, your members must gird their loins and play the necessary roles within the context of national development via tourism.”
The Ooni pointed out: “NATOP as a body of thoroughbred professional tour managers and administrators has a responsibility of crafting an appealing brand concept that could arrest the attention and ignite the passion in people to visit and tour Nigeria. Your association has the onerous responsibility to sell Nigeria, first to Nigerians, and then to the whole world “
He remarked that “The branding of Nigeria as a tourist destination of choice can only be done successfully if your members can realise the essential roles their professional accomplishments are meant to play in the global chain of tourism economic. There is no other group which has the professional potency and leverage to lure, persuade, convince and attract tourists to Nigeria. It is your duties and means of survival. Thus, the way you brand Nigeria will determine the volume of tourism traffic to Nigeria.”
The Ooni commended NATOP president, Hajia Abdul for her drive at ensuring that NATOP activities and programmes are not restricted to the urban centre “I am particularly glad that since you became the NATOP president, you have demonstrated a nationalistic fervour in your modus operandi at spreading the activities of NATOP. I monitored your election in Jos and the roadshow which NATOP organised to restore the confidence of people in Jos as a state of peace and tourism, your visit to Ife and your proposed visit to the remaining part of Nigeria is an attestation to your vision of building a virile, viable, relevant and national association which brands Nigeria as an entity to the world.”
Ooni Ogunwusi assured Hajia Abdul of his royal blessing and support for the association. “I want to assure you of my support to ensure that NATOP continues to play its roles as expected. It is gratifying to know that the association will be holding its Pre-AGM in Ile-Ife. This is another demonstration of a nationalistic behaviour. Your association act will also expose your members to the multifarious tourism properties and business in this part of the country and particularly in Ile-Ife.”
He remarked: “For the pre-AGM, I assure you that we shall throw our weight in making it a grand success at the Ife Grand Resort and Leisure. We are going to open doors of prosperity to your members. They are coming into a veritable fertile tourism business empire which has been hidden from them.”
“They will realise they have more to do here than in Lagos or Abuja. The business tourism potentialities of Ife Tourism Zone is bigger in scope and in dimension than Lagos.”
Responding, Hajia Abdul praised the Ooni for his deep insight and comprehension of the working of the tourism sector. “Kabiyesi, I am short of words to express my admiration for your robust understanding of the tourism sector. You are indeed a great teacher who has taught me many things which I never knew before coming here. I am particularly dazed by your interest and rich information about NATOP which shows that Kabiyesi is a true statesman who is committed to the overall development of Nigeria,” Hajia Abdul said.
“My coming here today marks a watershed in the annals of NATOP history. I am here to inform the Ooni-In-Council of the desire of NATOP to host its pre-AGM. AGM here in Ile-Ife, the source and the cradle of Yoruba race. And I am overwhelmed beyond my imagination by the hospitality, royal grandeur, cultural tourism values, pomp and ceremonies here. All these are tourism packages themselves.
“I want kabiyesi to see NATOP as a partner in his dream of making Ile-Ife a global destination and I assure that members of the association will leverage on any door of opportunity in the Ife Tourism Zone
“I must again thank you and will expressly convey and relate to all members of NATOP the extremely generous hospitality you lavished on me. Truly, Kabiyesi, Ile-Ife is also a land of love and hospitality.”
and then