This was disclosed when the Technical Mission on UNWTO, led by David McEwen paid the NTDC DG a visit at the Corporation’s headquarters on Monday.

The NTDC boss, Mr. Folorunsho Coker, in his address said interest rate on funds for tourism development and promotion should be a single unit, adding that “said tourism business cannot thrive with double digit interest rate.”

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Coker further reiterated his Road Map for the Nigerian Tourism, a five-point action plan – acronymic CHIEF (Corporate Governance & Regulations, Human Capital Development, Infrastructural Development, Events and Marketing, and Finance & Investment) – to promote and develop the tourism industry by promoting domestic tourism and encouraging ease of doing business in Nigeria.

While describing the cottage industry as the bedrock of tourism development, Coker underscored the importance of corporate governance and regulations reviews, saying: “The new NTDC law has been passed by the Senate, now awaiting concurrence. When finally concurred, it will allow NTDC to treat tourism as business, do joint ventures (Public Private Partnership), while also enabling the Corporation to behave in a manner like the Tourism Board of Kenya, Gambia and any country that depends on tourism, thereby allowing us to generate good revenue for government, and create wealth for the people.

“The corporate governance and regulations that need to be changed are not just at the Federal Government alone. We also need to look at state as well as the local government tourism law, and it must also be passed to the private sector.”

The NTDC boss also emphasized the need for an improved human capital development, which according to him, will speed up the development and promotion of tourism in the country. He added that “human capital development is not limited to the public sector, but it should also be well taken care of in the private sector.

He said the marketing of the tourism events, potentials and assets must be digital.

McEwen, who earlier in his speech commended the efforts of the Coker-led administration at promoting domestic tourism, said the group was ready to collaborate with NTDC on the establishment of tourism statistics and tourism account.

He, however noted that though measuring domestic tourism is quit challenging but his committee would come up with machinery that would ensure a considerably perfect measurement of domestic tourism traffic in the country.

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Coker dropped this hint while receiving the Chairman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Mr. Nogie Meggison who paid a courtesy visit to the Director General at the Tourism Corporate headquarters in Abuja recently.

In his words, Coker stressed that affordable air travel is key and indispensable in building the tourism economy. He reechoed his commitment to promoting domestic tourism in Nigeria, by exploring packaged tours and digital technology to drive the consumption of the tourism assets in the country.

“This is why NTDC finds it important to establish a strategic partnership with Airline Operators of Nigeria to create affordable air fares within inclusive packages in order to boost domestic tourism. We seek discounted weekend airline tickets to Abuja to propel the success of #MyAbujaWeekend’ Project, further encouraging the travel businesses and promote hospitality and tourism services in capital city of Nigeria”, he said.

While speaking on how to drive domestic tourism, the NTDC boss said the key component to tourism which according to him are travel, accommodation and entertainment/hospitality would be explored with the airlines, hotels, car hire services, tour operators and others to bring out affordable package tours to encourage Nigerians to tour Nigeria.

The NTDC Boss also called for a conscious investment in the promotion of domestic tourism, while appealing to everyone in the value chain of tourism, state and local governments and the private sector to work together and be ready to drive the market with a new brand TOUR NIGERIA.

Meggison in his response expressed the readiness of the association to partner with NTDC to ensure aggressive promotion of tourism in Nigeria, thereby making Nigeria the cheapest holiday destination for Nigerians initially.

His statement reads; “The practice everywhere in the world is the Airlines being the front burner in driving Tourism and Nigeria would not be an exception. We are ready to work with you in driving the Nigerian Tourism Industry forward,”.

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Coker dropped the hints during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of NDDC, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba held in his office in Abuja recently.

The NTDC Boss said that it was necessary to redefine the tourism sector by giving it a brand identity that is easy to sell in order to stimulate economic growth as well as repositioning the Nigerian Tourism Industry.

“There is need to redefine the tourism sector in Nigeria, we need to start within our domain, focusing on consumption of our assets, promotion and development of domestic tourism, which will have multiple effects on job creation and poverty alleviation while strengthen GDP and our currency. Everyone in the value chain of tourism must work together and be ready to drive the market with a new brand TOUR NIGERIA” he said.

The NTDC Boss who called for a conscious investment in the promotion of domestic tourism, described Nigeria as a tourism market, with a vibrant and dynamic business environment.

Coker, in his words said “one of my strategic imperatives to bring all stakeholder under one umbrella to sell a single all inclusive tour packages for Nigerians”. We need to package tourism in a simple manner that the average Nigerian can use, if we don’t package it well, individuals cannot take advantage of it. Nigerian will understand the product better, because they are a most critical audience and will demand better value for their money”,  he said.

In his response, the Chairman NDDC, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba heartily congratulated the DG NTDC for his newly deserved appointment, given his exploits in Lagos State Tourism Ministry.

“We are very happy that you are at the helms of affairs in NTDC, we are very proud of what you did in Lagos State, you are on a bigger stage now and we expect to make a difference in the Tourism sector as you did in Lagos” he said.

Senator Egba said NDDC was an intervention agency whose core mandate is to integrated and create partnerships, with relevant Agencies’ like NTDC especially now that there is a shift from oil and believes that if tourism can change the economy of Calabar, it can also happen in Nigeria, according to him, NDDC mission is to facilitate the rapid, ever growing and sustainable development of Nigeria.

The NDDC chairman solicited the support of the DG to intervene in the on-going case with the Calabar national museum which is a national monument and as such cannot be tempered with.
Senator Egba expressed the willingness of the Commission to work with NTDC in sailing the ship of the tourism sector in the country because of its enormous potentials.

Coker reminded everyone that we are in the digital era which tourism in Nigeria has to explore all its benefits through adaptation and deploying the best technology along the tourism value chain

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Coker disclosed this while receiving members of the Hotel & Personal Services Employers’ Association of Nigeria (HOPESEA) led by its President, Mr. Ugbor Vincent, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Corporation’s headquarters in Abuja recently.

The NTDC boss stressed the need for all the stakeholders in the tourism industry to come together and sell a single package tour as it is done in Dubai, India, Kenya and other parts of the world while describing music, entertainment, fashion, cuisines and religion as part of good tourism assets the country is endowed with, which will boost the Nigerian tourism industry, create wealth and job opportunities.

“Nigeria is endowed with such tourism assets and untapped potentials which can be developed for domestic consumption and exportation, we need to give a new meaning to Tourism through a digital platform which will anchor a complete trip, usually including cost for accommodation, meals, ground transport, tour guide taxes in an all-inclusive trip at a fair price, he said.

He further sought for a strategic working partnership between the HOPESEA and NTDC as the Corporation is set to grade hotels according to international standards as is in other parts of the world

“We can only achieve our goals if private sector and corporate Nigerians support the tourism sector. Government alone cannot do it, we need to embrace tourism in Nigeria and work towards promoting the tourism industry collectively”.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr Ugbor Vincent expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to meet with the Director General of NTDC to seek continued improvement in deliverables in the tourism industry, He added that “HOPESEA is willing and ready to contribute to the sustainability of the tourism industry in Nigeria”.

The HOPESEA President, who said the Association represented the voice of all major players in hotels, guest houses, Taverns, Catering and Restaurant businesses in Nigeria appealed that the opinion of business members’ organizations (BMOs) in the industry should be sought and given attention even if discretely.

“We are allies in your policies and programmes. In this wise, we hereby appeal that decisions which affect the businesses of our members should be made with our input no matter how minimal and without compromising government confidentiality and impartially”, he said.

Ugbor, who also noted that there are many hotel, restaurant, merriment and entertainment taxes and fees paid by their members across the country, said “there is need for a little direct plough back from tourism and hospitality taxes and fees. While governments are not obliged to utilize the proceeds from the taxes and fees mainly on the sector, making a reasonable part of them to be of direct benefit to employers and employees in the sector will be a morale boosters to the payers”.

“A case is the establishment of Tourism Development Fund which will provide soft loans through Bank of Industry for renovation and refurbishment for members requiring upgrading or to meet short term financial needs. Such loans will help enhance standards of facilities and services obtainable from our tourism companies”, he said.

Furthermore, the HOPESEA president requested for a quick intervention in the provision and maintenance of Street Lights, Street Cameras and Improvement in road network. “This will not only reduce crime rate but boost night-life and promote leisure and tourism in the Federal Capital Territory which is your direct domain”, he stated.

The DG NTDC in his response assured that, “We at NTDC are ever ready, not only to market and promote tourists’ sites but also to restructure and reposition our tourism industry, he said.

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He said this while addressing members of ANJET led by the Association’s President, Mr. Andrew Okungbowa, who paid a courtesy visit at the Corporation’s headquarters on Abuja on Thursday.

The NTDC Chief emphasized that Journalism is key to the marketing and promotion of Domestic Tourism product .

‘’I urge Journalists to pay sustained attention to the coverage of ideas, policies, activities and events in tourism that contributes positively to the development of tourism that contributes positively to the development of tourism industry in the country”.

Coker noted that NTDC is the driving force of the national tourism agenda for a sustainable tourism industry in Nigeria.

“The domestic tourism market can yield revenue and jobs if packaged properly, he said.

Mr. Okungbowa who earlier in his speech congratulated the Director General on his new appointment also expressed gratitude for affording the group the rare opportunity to air their position on the current state of affairs in the tourism industry.

In his speech, he said, “tourism remains a veritable industry for developing the country on all fronts because of its multiplier effects and the fact that it is the largest employer of labour.

On behalf of ANJET, he pledged to support the Corporation in the promotion of domestic tourism which is the bedrock for economic development using journalism as tool for promotion of tourism activities in the country.

He stressed, “we will offer our unalloyed support and partnership with you in the promotion of domestic tourism which is a veritable tool for global packaging and rebranding of Nigeria’s Tourism in line with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) uniformity of standards and best practices.”

He further urged the DG to continue the good work he has embarked upon and not relent no matter the challenges stating that “tourism is not paved of gold rather it is of rough diamond and crucible but it offers exciting time and challenges because of the opportunities and the rewards that come with them”.

“Sir, your passion and drive for domestic tourism development of this nation is very commendable, we believe that the remarkable milestone you achieved in Lagos State would be replicated in this sector”, he said.

He added, “the county’s tourism policy needs to be studied, digested and adequately distilled because it is from such policy that the basic blueprint will be based and where no one exists, their efforts should be made in the near future to put one in place”.

Responding to the issue of the provision of comprehensive and standard tourism calendar, Mrs, Fibi Ikilama, the Director of Marketing and Promotion of the Corporation said, “the Corporation is already collating date of festivals in various localities in Nigeria and other tourism activities to be used as a tool for stimulating domestic tourism.”

Also speaking, Mr. Okorie Uguru, a delegate of the ANJET in his submission called for a good communication ties be established between the Corporation and the media for a strong cordial relationship to drive the industry forward.

In his reactions, the DG lauded the efforts of the tourism writers and said that his administration is ready to collaborate with the media to be able to redefine the tourism sector.

“Everything anchors on Domestic Tourism but the media is key to project the mission and vision of the Corporation positively to the world, there is a need for our media partners to follow their professional ethics in coverage of the industry and the activities of the Corporation and projection of the nation’s multi-fascinating cultural heritage, festivals, attractions, cuisines, scenic views, hills, lakes, mountains and others should be our major focus”, he stressed.

Coker noted that the Corporation has partnered with major stakeholders in the industry and other relevant agencies especially on statistics.

“The tourism sector cannot function well without accurate data , NTDC in collaboration with relevant government agencies such as Nigeria Immigration service (NIS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Airlines and hotels will build a data bank which will aid planning and budget”.

The DG also used the opportunity to commend the initiative of ANJET, appreciating their support towards the Corporation in the achievement of its set goals and objectives and the tourism sector in general. He further emphasized the need for the media to practice developmental journalism focused on projection of positive images of Nigeria predominantly to the world, which would encourage Foreign Direct Investment in the country.

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Coker said this while addressing members of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), led by its President, Chief Tomi Akingbogun, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Corporation’s headquarters in Abuja, on Wednesday.

The NTDC boss, who described tourism as a great employer of labour, said, “we need to start within our domain, focusing on consumption of our assets, promotion and development of domestic tourism, which will create multiple effect on job creation and poverty alleviation”. He added, “tourism identity would go a long way to project the country positively but first, it must begin with us”.

Speaking further, he stressed the need to package Nigeria for tourists, within and outside the country, while describing music, entertainment, fashion, cuisines and religion as part of good tourism assets the country is endowed with, which will boost the Nigerian tourism industry.

Coker, also disclosed the intention of his administration to launch a campaign that would encourage people to ‘Tour Nigeria, Buy Nigeria, Grow Nigeria,’ which according to him, will propel tourism development in Nigeria.

Earlier in his remarks, Chief Tomi Akingbogun expressed the willingness and readiness of the association to work with the government in sailing the ship of the tourism sector in the country, saying, “FTAN is always willing and ready to contribute to the development of the Nigeria’s tourism industry, to improve the lots of the nation and her great people”.

The FTAN President, who said the association represented the voice of all tourism practitioners in Nigeria, hinted that the association has discussed ways to stimulate tourism development through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed.

Akinbogun, who noted that there are a good number of private investors who are interested in the development of Nigerian tourism industry, said: “In the letter, we asked for Public-Private Partnership concession on three tourism projects in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory: Abuja Children Park and Zoo, Wild Life Park and Zoological Gardens, and Jabi Lake Water Recreational Activities, and others.

“We are focused more on transformation of domestic tourism in making Abuja a foremost tourism destination” which he described as model for national development which will be replicated in other States.

“When granted, the PPP will improve and expand domestic tourism sites already in the country, open up new domestic tourism destinations to private investors”, he said.

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“Our initial focus is on domestic tourism, to make the best use of what we have and CONSUME MORE OF NIGERIA”, he stressed.

The DG said this while receiving an eight-man team of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) which paid him a courtesy visit at the Corporation’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The NTDC chief, who described the Corporation as a corporate member of NANTA expressed the readiness of the Corporation to be a worthy partner to NANTA in championing the course of tourism in Nigeria, and collaborate with the association on the area of statistics and data collection, to enable private investors know which state has potentials to explore and develop.

Coker demanded for a working partnership between the private and the public sector in the development and promotion of tourism in Nigeria. He assured that public/private partnership will boost the tourism agenda of Nigeria.

Earlier in his speech, the National President of NANTA, Mr. Bankole Bernard, described the appointment of Folorunsho Coker as a blessing to the tourism sector, stress, “I am sure that the good work he did with the Lagos tourism
would be replicated in the 36 states in Nigeria.”

Bernard expressed displeasure about the manner in which the promotion of tourism is being managed in Nigeria, saying, “Tourism has not been well developed, promoted and packaged because the country had wholly depended and focused on the oil sector. Tourism is everything. We all have to embrace it and take it seriously”.

The NANTA National President while describing the country as a potential tourism market, with a vibrant and dynamic business environment especially with the improved Nigerian’s image under the present administration, called for a conscious investment in the promotion of domestic tourism in Nigeria.

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