FTAN AGM: Investment in infrastructure, key to driving growth in tourism – Kereng

[By VICTOR NZE]

High Commissioner of Botswana to Nigeria, Philda Kereng, has told tourism operators and regulators in the country that investment in the sector’s infrastructure, in addition to, developing a value chain for their businesses, remain key to growing the industry.

This is also as the envoy, a former tourism minister in the southern African nation advised private sector operators in the tourism sector to strive at creating or establishing a value chain for their businesses and events.

Delivering her paper as Lead Speaker at the Conference session of the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), which held at the Rockview Royale Hotel, Abuja, Tuesday, July 30, Ms Kereng further proffered key solutions for private sector operators in navigating the path to sustainable growth for their businesses.

The 2024 AGM also featured a discussion session which had as panellists leaders in the country’s tourism industry.

This is also as former President of the FTAN, Alhaji Munzali Dantata was ratified as the substantive Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) after two months in an acting capacity following the resignation of Chief Samuel Alabi earlier.

The 2024 FTAN AGM had as its theme; “The Role of Private Sector in the Development of Tourism in Nigeria.”

Speaking on the theme, Ms Kereng posited that collaboration between the private sector operators and the regulators in the public sector was a matter of necessity as, according to her, while the latter formulates the policies, it is still the former that is vested with the task of driving those programmes and laws.

Continuing, Kereng posited that the relationship must be mutually beneficial for any expected growth to take place in the economy, further adding that there is no competition between both sector operators.

The envoy also stressed the imperative of investment in infrastructure by the government, which she said, is key to driving growth.

“Government needs the private sector to drive its policies, as the latter is the implementor of government policies. Therefore, policies enacted by the public sector must be all-inclusive.

“It’s also important that the government or regulators in the public sector see the imperative of investment in infrastructure as essential for any meaningful growth to be achieved.

“Government needs to look at tourism growth in terms of infrastructure investment. This means it’s how much you put in that you expect to recoop the investment. Countries that invested heavily expect to see a higher ROI that those who don’t. Infrastructure investment should also cover security deficiencies.

“Also, it has to be said that there must be a new way to approach industry challenges or implement policies in the sector. We can’t continue doing things the old way. Government needs the private sector, and vice versa,” she said.

To this end, Kereng charged private sector operators in the country to work towards positioning their businesses as a relevant player in the industry.

“Since the government needs you to drive its policies, you need to position yourself and yourself and your businesses to be relevant. If you have to be relevant, you must show your worth with real growth in your operations so s to convince the government that you are truly relevant.

“See yourself as an influencer who can drive that growth through your various businesses. You have to influence the industry with real growth, having a business that is actually delivering and attaining that sustainability level, job creation and tangible staff.

“That is how you influence the public sector; by growing your businesses through sustainable strategies,” Kereng stressed.

In charting the way forward, Kereng advised private sector operators to, among others; develop their capacities, engage the services of the media, embrace technology, adopt a value chain approach in organizing business events.

“You need to adopt a value added approach when you organise events. Engage the micro level operators and artisans who will plug in to your events, thereby creating a value chain which by extension benefits the entire industry.

“For every event that you organise, there must be a value chain created. You grow by growing others for sustainable growth in the entire to take place,” she said.

The envoy also harped on collaboration between all sector players in the tourism industry, as she urged them to work together and communicate ideas on developing the country’s economy.

Earlier, in his opening address, President of FTAN, Mr Nkereuwem Onung, in choosing the theme for this year’s AGM, the association had acknowledged the efforts made by the private in tourism development in Nigeria, including job creation Infrastructure development, even as he noted that for sustainable growth to firm, the public sector operators need to play their part.

“Rather than make laws to tax and take toll from our businesses,  we would like to see government being decisive on appropriate visa policy,  stimulate market demands with appropriate marketing strategies, invest in tourism assets/,attractions, fix the roads, provide security,  maintain peace,” Mr Onung said.

The FTAN President, therefore, used the platform of the AGM opportunity to ‘invite the public sector to have lunch with the private sector.’

According to him, it has become imperative for the regulators to dialogue and with the private sector operators in the country in order ‘to chart a new course for Nigerian tourism.’

“We are told that Nigeria has secured hosting rights for 68th UN Tourism CAF meeting in 2025. What does it hold for the country? Will the country be at WTM, London? Where are the 2 tourism laws we procured last year Is it not yet time to engage us? Where is the blueprint of the new ministry? Lunch is served.

“Let us work together to chart a new course for Nigerian tourism. Let us explore innovative solutions, foster partnerships, and drive growth,” Onung stressed.

The FTAN President, assured that his group ‘will continue drive the narrative of peace within the tourism ecosystem.’

“We are open to continuous consultation with the tourism ministry, SON, tourism MDAs, ECOWAS, etc . We need cooperation among industry players for collective advocacy as it is the prerequisite for shared prosperity,” he said.