Nigeria, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, possesses immense untapped potential in the hospitality, travel, and tourism industry. However, realizing this potential requires a renewed and comprehensive approach.
In this article, we outline three key recommendations for the new policymakers to achieve sustainable growth for Nigeria’s hospitality, travel, and tourism prospects:
- Review and revamp existing tourism development efforts:
Nigeria has made previous attempts at tourism development, but these efforts often lacked a holistic approach to incorporating the industry’s multi-disciplinary ecosystem. To harness the transformative potential of tourism, policymakers can revisit existing master plans and tourism development initiatives to review what has been done and what is outstanding. This review should identify successes and gaps and lay the groundwork for a sustainable tourism strategy that sets realistic targets. By working with available resources and focusing on the intersections of tourism, policymakers can ensure that both the industry and the overall system are optimized.
- Capacity-Building and Infrastructure Enhancement:
Building a thriving tourism industry requires equipping ministries, commissions, and agencies with a deeper understanding of the diverse nature of tourism and its potential opportunities. Capacity-building programs can help these entities navigate the complexities of the industry and make informed decisions. Also, investing in best-in-class branding for tourist destinations, upgrading tourism provisions, improving connectivity to tourist destinations, and providing accessible information about attractions are essential steps. These improvements enhance the visitor experience and create a more welcoming environment for both domestic and international tourists.
- Support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs):
The economic and social benefits of a robust tourism industry are significant. Tourism has the potential to create millions of jobs, reduce underemployment and unemployment, and contribute substantially to the country’s GDP. By focusing on supporting SMEs within the tourism value chain and harmonizing tourism policies, policymakers can contribute to an enabling environment for private sector investment.
Policymakers must revisit existing master plans and tourism development initiatives … to identify successes and gaps and lay the groundwork for a realistic and sustainable tourism strategy.
In conclusion, the time is right for a renewed approach to hospitality, travel, and tourism development. By reviewing existing efforts, investing in capacity-building and infrastructure, and supporting tourism SMEs, policymakers can lay the foundation for a thriving and sustainable tourism industry that benefits all Nigerians.
——————————————–
This article was written as an open letter on BusinessDay. Click to read the full article here