Nigeria’s Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, said the tourism sector brings huge revenues to the country and if properly harnessed, could be a viable alternative to dependency on the oil sector.
The Minister made this statement during a webinar organized by the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Thematic Group (THITG) of the Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Creative, Cultural and Sports Industry Policy Committee (THECCSPC) of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) during the 30th Nigeria Economic Summit (NES#30).
Speaking at the webinar themed “Domestic Tourism: A Powerful Tool for Rural Revitalisation and Economic Growth in Nigeria”, the Minister said “By shifting attention to domestic tourism, significant opportunities can arise for rural communities. In 2022, the tourism sector contributed N17.3bn to Nigeria’s GDP, compared to 7.5 percent of GDP in France.”
She said Nigeria has 1,091 tourist attractions across 36 states and the FCT, many of which are being revitalized, noting that notable sites include Obudu, Ogbunike, Osun Oshogbo Grove, Kajuru Castle, and Yankari Game Reserve, which are situated in historical landmarks, wildlife conservation and ecotourism.
She further said, “There is also a need for investment in domestic tourism to revitalize communities, provide an avenue for huge revenue, spur entrepreneurship, and generate revenue as the sector currently supports 1.9 million jobs.
In his welcoming remarks, the Co-chairman of THECCSPC, Mr Udeme Ufot, said the sector has the potential to generate significant revenue through new sources of income, create jobs in various sectors, and contribute to diversifying the economy.
Similarly, the Executive Director of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Folorunsho Coker, called for public-private partnerships (PPPs), community engagement, and sustainable financing models to boost domestic tourism. He noted that domestic tourism is six times larger than international tourism and is therefore crucial to solving the employment challenge.
