UNWTO set to review Nigeria’s Tourism Master Plan

The Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed recently set up a technical committee to review the Tourism Master Plan of Nigeria. Consequently, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) sent a representative, Mr Jim Flannery to meet with stakeholders in the industry to review and ensure immediate implementation of plan.

Flannery was accompanied on the visit to Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) headquarters by directors from the Ministry of Information and Culture and other stakeholders. In his meeting with the management of NTDC, Flannery deliberated on the challenges facing the tourism industry in Nigeria, and discussed the way forward giving assurance of his commitment to the course of developing Nigeria’s tourism industry.

NTDC management gave a brilliant presentation to the team highlighting challenges in the implementation of the Tourism Master Plan and gridlocks in delivering on its mandate.

Flannery commended the huge growth in Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry, while noting that a lot still needed to be done on the legislation governing tourism in Nigeria to bring it at sync with the standards world over.

In his speech, the Acting Director-General of NTDC, Sir Borniface Eboka underscored the need for a uniform standard in the classification and grading of hotels in Nigeria.

He disclosed that there are more unique tourist sites in Nigeria that ought to have been recognised by UNWTO, “if we had enough money to do the needful, in terms of development and promotion of such sites.”

Reacting to the observation of Flannery that negative publicity and insecurity are reasons tourists avoid Nigeria, Eboka said that negative publicity about Nigeria is premeditated, adding that, “insecurity is not peculiar to Nigeria, other nations also have their own share of insecurity and terrorism”, adding that “government is making conscious efforts at ensuring insurgency is completely eradicated in Nigeria”.

…Condemns Istanbul terror attack

UNWTO is deeply shocked by the tragic attack perpetrated last night in Istanbul, Turkey.

“On the behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims and expresses its full solidarity with the people and the Government of Turkey” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

“This attack reminds us once more that we are facing a global threat that requires us to work closer together to have a firm and coordinated response that engages all governments and the international community. Turkey is a leading tourism destination and we are confident it will continue to be so with the support of all,” he added.