Tourism, transportation summit set to harmonise, boost tourism development

The second edition of the Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo held at the Abuja international Conention Centre recently has taken a leap in building a strategic frontier for pulling resources together through political goodwill to activate, harness and make the Federal Government to see why their practical input in tourism development will boost the GDP of Nigeria economy.

The two days event with the theme ‘Tourism and Transportation interdependencies for Inclusive growth and Sustainable Development, with major players and experts in the duo industry forming the list of the summit papers and panel of discuss attracted unprecedented accolades from participants who thronged the venue from all walk of life.

Attendees at the Meetings Incentives, Conferences and exhibiltions (MICE) show saw the platform as a veritable space, to not only meet minds diverse stakeholders, but also to redefine the place and role of transportation in the tourism value chain.

Participants lamented the deaf ears the government of Nigeria have turn to the smart transportation system and alied infrastructures which are practically germane to developing an enabling environment for tourism to thrive.

They also described the platform as a rallying point and a village square for strategically tabling grey issues that have hindered the growth of tourism in Nigeria and also an avenue to profer workable solutions for new tourism direction.

The MICE platform which attracted applaud from attendees was described the concept of the conference as a well though event to reactivate collective division industry players towards giving tourism promotion a solid threshold in Nigeria.

Out of being a jamboree and a charade of sort, the event which also borrowed a leaf from other tourism shows in Nigeria displayed genuine consciousness and commitment to not only educate key players in the allied tourism sectors, but also to practically bring together key stakeholders in public and private sector to put resources together to develop agenda to grow Nigeria tourism to global standards.

In his opening remarks, the National President of Institute of Tourism Professionals and Chairman, Local Organising Committee of Tourism and Transportation Summit and Expo, Chief Abiodun Odusamwo said the opportunity to forge the desired synergy between tourism and other vital alied sectors especially of transportation is now being offered by the Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo for key players in both sectors to explore, tap and utilise for the benefit of all.

“The need for Nigeria to wake up from its slumber and take it rightful position as a front runner in Africa’s tourism industry is long over due and can best be achieved if all relevant players in the industry put their heads together and operate in unionism.

Odusanwo however drew the attention of delegates and participants to use the expo as a pivot to see how Nigeria can benefit from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) inititive to boost the tourism industry through enhanced cooperation between tourism and air transport.

Declareing the event open, the Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG), Mr Boss Mustapha, who was represented by the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hajia Aisha Abubakar lauded the organisers for the initiative, adding “it was the special interest the SFG, Mr Mustapha had for the event that made him to send the Minister of Women Affairs to stand in, since he would be unavoidably absent.

She said the summit which focus on tourism and transportation covered one of the calling of the SFG who was in charge of Maritime before his present will be an edge in dirving the course of this initiative. Women play a vital role in nation building and that is the reason I am here to represent the SFG and i will be doing my part together with other women to a greater level.

For the President of La Campagne Tropicana, Chief Wanle Akinboboye, said “I think the summit is a very smart idea by the deep thinking Chief Odusanwo, to begin the process of galvanising people to understand the importance of the two sectors (Tourism and Transportation) working together as a team.

“What propels travel is transportation, so combining it with tourism is critical for growth and development. So the duo must work in unionism to strategically activatepractical partnership that will stimulate both sectors to drive our economy.”

In his delivery, the President/ CEO, Sabre Network NMC West Africa, Dr Gabriel Olowo, who spoke on Tourism in a Hyper connection world-Making Technology, Maritime and Tourism connectivity and opportunities for Social and Economic Development work for tourism and transportation sector, believed that Nigeria have to step up its game by embracing technology as the new order of aligning with the glogal tourism trend.

“We have to implore technology in all we do to move with the speed of time. Most countries that we now look unto as fast growing destinations in tourism did not just get there, but they strategically took advantage of technpology to get to where they are today. For us to more in that direction, we must advance in the use of technology to break even.

In her offerings, a former director general of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Omotayo Omotosho who was a visible figure at the expo, was optimistic that the toruism and transportation platform have come to stay, not only as an avenue to discuss but a forum where practical dicisions will be reached with workable communiqué for the relevant authority to work with at achieveing the tourism structure stakeholders have been yearning for.

“Tourism is a multi-faceted and multi-variant social and economic activity that cuts across several sectors of our everyday activities as a people, groups and organisations. These include such areas as the hospitality, security, entertainment, culture, festivals, to mention a few.”

She called for unity in fighting the course of tourism development in Nigeria, saying for tourism to work the public and private sector must come together to compliment each other to better tourism in Nigeria.