President of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung (right) in a handshake with the Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mr. Folorunsho Coker, when the former led members of his executive committee on a courtesy call to the corporation's office in Abuja, recently
NTDC, FTAN agree to explore opportunities towards growing Nigeria tourism industry
[By VICTOR NZE]
Umbrella body of operators in the industry, the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has expressed readiness to work with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in evolving more opportunities towards developing tourism in Nigeria.
President of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung (right) in a handshake with the Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mr. Folorunsho Coker, when the former led members of his executive committee on a courtesy call to the corporation’s office in Abuja, recently
President of FTAN, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, who made the pledge when he led members of his newly-elected executive committee on a courtesy call to the office of the Director General of NTDC, Mr. Folorunsho Coker, in Abuja, congratulated the corporation’s boss over his recent reappointment, while appreciating the audience granted him and his executive committee.
According to Onung, the purpose of the visit was to introduce the newly-elected FTAN officials to him, and to also seek for more collaboration with the corporation towards the development of tourism in the country.
The FTAN chief promised to support NTDC plans for repeal and re-enactment of the NTDC Act, if both parties agree on the contents, even as he further appealed to the Director General to throw his weight behind growing calls for the removal of Tourism from the Residual list to the Concurrent list in the Nigerian Constitution.
Onung further informed the NTDC boss of plans by FTAN body to organise a National Tourism
Summit geared towards providing a veritable platform for industry stakeholders to deliberate on germaine issues affecting the tourism sector in Nigeria.
According to him, FTAN and NTDC need a strong collaboration to move tourism forward, adding that the tourism operators’ body ‘is fully ready to work with NTDC to change the narrative.’
Responding, Coker said FTAN and NTDC ‘represent the same purpose,’ as he advised the tourism operators to ‘unite and speak with one voice’ in order to ensure that tourism is given positive attention by the Federal Government.
According to Coker, ‘the world is fast changing, it’s no longer strong pen and paperwork like before.’ “Now the future is digital, tourism practitioners in Nigeria should embrace the digital way to drive tourism,” Coker said.
The NTDC chief expressed commitment towards exploring current trends in digital technology to develop domestic tourism.
The Director General, therefore, appealed to FTAN to support the NTDC bill on Tourism which is before the National Assembly, adding that it is for the benefit of both private sector and the Federal Government.
Coker used the opportunity of the FTAN courtesy visit to highlight some achievements of NTDC’s programmes which, he said, include; ‘Tour Nigeria,’ ‘Nigeria Flavours’ and the National Tourism Bureau.
He said his administration will continue to use the programmes to promote domestic tourism, as he promised to hold a quarterly meeting and annual retreat with tourism stakeholders for better synergy, just as he assured the FTAN executive members that their request for an operational vehicle will be captured in next year’s budget of NTDC.
