The President of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr Nkereweum Onung says the nation is long overdue for a vibrant Tourism Policies.
Mr. Onung also said Nigeria over the years does not have Policies for the Tourism sector, hence the neglect by the Federal and State Governments.
The President stated this when he featured on a Radio Programme “Creative Nigeria” on Mainland FM in Lagos.
The President noted that the merging of Culture and Tourism with that of Information has made the Tourism Sector to suffer total neglect.
According to him, the Tourism sector has the potential of providing millions of jobs if properly harnessed, saying “a country that fail to plan has planned to fail.”
He called on the Federal government to develop legal framework and policies that will make the tourism sector add more value to the economic development of the country.
Mr. Onung also hinted that in a bid to carryout its responsibilities, FTAN has concluded plans to celebrate the 2022 World Tourism Day with the constitution of a powerful Committee to ensure a colourful outing.
On his part, the 1st Deputy President of FTAN, Alh. Aliyu Badaki, a Tourism Expert said the inability of government to carry stakeholders in the sector along necessitated the challenges faced in the tourism sector.
Alh. Badaki advocated the regulation of the sector, saying FTAN and other stakeholders must be given a sense of belonging in this regard.
“In terms of regulations, agencies under Tourism have missed it in enacting an Act because they want to be a regulator and stakeholder at the same time.” He added.
