The SKAL International president, Mrs. Rita Obidike, made this call in
Lagos during SKAL International Day which
held at Lufasi Nature Park along Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos. She said with the
right type of support from the government, tourism could provide jobs for
millions of Nigerians.
Skål is a professional organisation of
tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. It
is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism
industry.
She however expressed happiness that
state governments are beginning to give tourism the needed assistance because
of sudden realisation that it is a money spinning venture if well harnessed.
She lamented that most of the problems arose because they were not partnering
with the right people.
She said: “The
tourism industry needs to have some more attention from the government. The
Federal Government and some state governments have started to give tourism the
needed attention. It is a good
development and we are ready to partner with them. Most of the problems come because they are
not partnering with the right people. If they put people in the right strategic
places, I bet you, they will go far. If they partner with us, I think tourism
will go a much higher like huge employment and help to boost our image.”
Obidike who is also Managing Director
of Discovery Travel & Tours Limited
disclosed that Nigeria has good and rich tourism destinations that are far
better than what he has seen in many parts of the world.
She specifically cited India and Kenya
as two countries that do not have huge tourism sites like Nigeria. She lamented
that lack of development and marketing of the sites have robbed the country of
huge foreign exchange.
“That is why I said
government should partner with us by organising a trip to Obudu and many
others. Thank God we have a strong national body that they can come through. I
was in India last year and am going to Mombasa this year. What I saw are not
better than what we have here. We need to encourage local tourism in Nigeria.
“People are going all over
the world, they don’t know Nigeria. It is a shame. We pray that they would be
faster evolution in the whole of this. We know the huge mileage and income
tourism can bring to any nation.”
DISCOVERY TRAVELS & TOURS LIMITED
Shop G-4, VGC Shopping
Complex,
Victoria Garden City,
Lekki, Lagos.
014618886,
08025673109,
08034048750
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