FTAN president calls for federal grants to boost tourism

The President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr Nkereuwem Onung, has urged the Federal Government to allocate grants to all states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, for the enhancement of tourism. 

Commending the government’s N5 billion grant to Cross River State for the revitalization of Obudu Mountain Resort, Onung emphasised the need for special funding for tourism, proposing a minimum of N37 billion for each state and Abuja to uplift their tourism assets. 

Onung, who serves as the Special Assistant on Tourism to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, urged states to identify their tourism assets for refurbishment or establishment, suggesting that the funds could be granted or deducted from their subvention. 

• 70 years after, Kano remembers legacies of Emir Abdullahi Bayero
• Marwa asks NDLEA officers to shun temptations from drug traffickers

He highlighted this as a crucial step to promote domestic tourism, emphasising the importance of branding and marketing Nigeria both nationally and internationally.