FTAN demands a stand alone Tourism Ministry, task FG on tourism investments as it Celebrates WTD 2022

 

Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, President FTAN delivering his keynote address at Eko Hotel & Suites during the Icon of Tourism Awards which was part of the World Tourism Day Celebration in Nigeria.

As the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) celebrated this year’s World Tourism Day with the global theme, 'Rethinking Tourism’, it lamented Federal Government’s negligence of the tourism sector which boasts one of the highest labour forces in the country and contributes significantly to the country’s economy.

FTAN went on to reiterate its stand and demand for a stand alone tourism Ministry while it urged government to increase its investment and funding for tourism.

Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, the President of FTAN, speaking at the FTAN's Icon of Tourism awards dinner, he lamented that the Federal Government has not demonstrated enough commitment to the tourism sector. According to him, ‘One of the sectors that have the largest amount of workforce and while contributing significantly to the country’s economy.

He reiterated the call by FTAN on the demand on the Federal Government to create a stand alone Ministry of Tourism in the country.

Earlier in the day, during the World Tourism Day celebrations at the Takwa Bay beach, the FTAN's President, Mr. Nkereuwem said in his opening speech called for celebration for the stakeholder and practitioners, saying, ‘Today, we celebrate our resilience and survival of the industry and her investments from the deadly Covid-19 Pandemic.

“Let me also salute the resilience and courage of the tourism community and sympathize with those who lost jobs, money, and businesses the world over.

“This year, the city of Bali in Indonesia plays host to the world for World Tourism Day 2022. In his official message in preparing to host this year’s WTD, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said that,

“The pandemic highlighted the critical need to transform the tourism industry  and now we finally celebrate World Tourism Day as the global tourism slowly recovers. As emphasized by the theme: “Rethinking Tourism”, I believe the time is now to begin this transformation.”

“While this is truly significant and speaks to the plight of the global tourism industry, it is important to add that in Nigeria we must rethink tourism beyond the pandemic because our recovery requires a much deeper dive.”

“For us in FTAN, the boat cruise from Tarzan jetty in Victoria Island to Tarkwa bay beach is our way of domesticating this year’s theme to focus on Lagos waterways and showcase the beauty of exploring the stretch of abundant Lagos coastlines for tourism purposes. In rethinking Tourism let us look in the way of the water economy in Lagos state, Nigeria.

“As a Federation, our rebranding strategy and transformation agenda is contained in our TRIAC mandate and emphasizes on training, research, and domestic tourism promotions.

In the spirit of 2022 WTD celebrations, we have taken steps to form strong alliances in tourism and it’s allied sector to partner on grey areas that we found important to enable us move tourism to an enviable level.

“Lobbying is one area we need to adopt to enable us play our role as organized private sector. Partnership and collaboration will be as important to move our tourism promotions and businesses forward.”

“As such, we must rethink how we think tourism? How we do tourism? The need to collaboration, digitalization of the industry, domestic tourism promotions and activities.

“Purposeful and healthy lobbying to create an enabling environment for FTAN and the well over 20 associations under it.”

He stated that the success of the celebration will not have been achieved without the Local Organizing Committee of the WTD 2022 under the chairmanship of the president of ATBOWTAN, Mr. Ganiyu Tarzan Balogun, the managing director/CEO of Tarzan Jetty and Water Transport service.

Onung lauded the unwavering support of the FTAN BOT Chairman, Chief Sam Alabi who has continued to do his kind bid for FTAN’s growth including other sponsors and supporters of the 2022 WTD celebrations.

In the words of Onung: “Tonight at the Tourism Icon Award, we will be honouring our Tourism Icons. Our Tourism Icon Awards has become a platform to encourage and celebrate individuals with excellent leadership qualities, outstanding achievements and performances that have contributed immensely to the  growth and development of the Tourism industry in Nigeria.

“We will be appreciating the DG NIHOTOUR for galvanizing the industry towards trainings and gastronomy.

We will appreciate Mama WEBISCO for how consistent she was in the promotion of tourism both locally and internationally.

And also the Lagos State Governor for his outstanding performance that has put Lagos State on the map as a tourism hub in Nigeria”.