FG to prioritise, rebrand tourism sector

The Federal Government is committed to prioritising and rebranding the tourism sector to bolster economic development.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the 2020 National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Annual Master Lecture Series themed ‘Sustaining the Gains of Hospitality and Tourism Research in a Challenging World’.

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The minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Engr. Nebeolisa Anako, said the tourism sector accounts for one in every 10 jobs globally, and that Nigeria has not paid adequate attention to the sector over the years.

“I can say this sector is one of the key sectors that Mr President and his administration programmed to raise one million Nigerians out of poverty.

“It offers employment to young women and men and if you look at the economic development goals of the key aspects of women and children, tourism plays its important part there,” he said.

The Director General of NIHOTOUR, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, assured that the institute remained resolute.

“As a research and allied institution, we will work hard to sustain this momentum, as well as improve on its overall impact on the industry,” he said.

The Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, said NIHOTOUR is a very important component for the development of tourism in the country.