The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has commended tourism practitioners across the country for their resilience and quest to upscale the industry and uphold peace initiative.

Mr Nkereuwem Onung, National President of FTAN, gave the commendation on Wednesday during a virtual news conference, on the occasion of the 2024 World Tourism Day, usually observed every Sept. 27.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2024 edition of the World Tourism Day is, ‘Tourism and Peace’.

He appreciated them for their resilience and contributions toward sustaining the sector in the face of numerous challenges.

He said that the survival of the country’s travel and tourism sector was a testament to the resilience of the private sector players who had surmounted difficult challenges.

He recognised the powerful impact travel could have in bridging cultural divides, facilitating dialogue and nurturing peaceful coexistence.

‘In a world often challenged by conflict and misunderstandi
ng, tourism serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging respect for diverse cultures and promoting unity within communities.

‘World Tourism Day is not merely a celebration of travel; it is a celebration of our collective potential to build a more peaceful world.

‘Our members are vital to this mission, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and understanding that transcends borders,’ he said.

Onung said that the theme underscored the crucial role that the tourism sector played in promoting cultural understanding and fostering reconciliation across the globe.

He encouraged members of the tourism body to engage in activities that aligned with the theme of the Day, and to reflect on its significance.

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Onung urged them to continue championing the values of peace, understanding and reconciliation in their practices.

‘From organising events to fostering dialogue between tourists and local communities, there are countless opportunities to pro
mote peace through tourism.

‘Together, we can harness the transformative power of tourism to create a more harmonious world,’ he said.

Onung reiterated the call for collaboration among the leadership of the Ministry of Tourism, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), and the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR).

He noted that meaningful and profitable growth in the tourism sector could only be achieved through cooperative efforts.

‘Let us all commit to working together to build a vibrant and impactful tourism industry that promotes peace and understanding for the benefit of all,’ he said.

The FTAN president noted that there had been little progress made at the public sector level in advancing the country’s tourism sector over the last two decades.

He advocated a blueprint which should clearly state the roles and terms of engagement between the government and the private sector operators for the much-talked about inclusivity.

He insisted on a proper working document or te
mplate defining roles and terms of engagement and participation by all parties in the Nigeria tourism ecosystem.

Onung said that this was crucial to jumpstarting the process of recovering grounds lost in the past due to what he described as ‘bad leadership’.

‘Besides this, we have been waiting for that working document to be able to establish a proper framework of engagement with government by us at FTAN, representing the private sector.

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‘We are celebrating the resilience of these individuals who have survived these challenges and defied the odds in prevailing over the security and infrastructure challenges to remain in business,’ he said.

Onung expressed concern over the current lack of synergy between public and private sector operators under the current administration.

He noted that aside the occasional appearances of the Minister of Tourism at selected events, little progress had been made.

He also lamented the absenc
e of concrete measures to elevate tourism to a standalone ministry, a goal long advocated by stakeholders.

‘This is not the tourism industry we envisioned when the ministry was established, and it is disheartening to see the aspirations of many go unaddressed,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria