The Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) has called on the new minister of tourism, Lola Ade-John, to partner with relevant stakeholders to harness tourism potential to generate more revenues for the country.

The national president of ITPN, Abiodun Odusanwo, gave the advice on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Odusanwo said that harnessing tourism potential would also attract foreign and local tourists as well as creating employment and improving the standard of living of the people or host communities.

“Now that we have a stand-alone Minister of Tourism, issues concerning tourism will be discussed at the state levels with the minister with the mandate of promoting tourism.

” In the past, we had a minister with multi-functional responsibilities. But with the new Minister, we will have our own Permanent Secretary and such will advance the tourism industry.

“Now we are going to establish a National Council on Tourism that will foster the promotion of the industry, because the council meeting will be based on policy decision,” he said.

He added that when the National Council on Tourism would be fully implemented, agenda for the sector would be drawn, discussed and approved.

“I am sure that with the Federal Minister of Tourism, many states will emulate by having their commissioner for tourism.

“Most states will reciprocate by having commissioners for tourism, making them to form their own forum for tourism commissioners in all the states of the federation.

“This will actually bring a great development,” he added.

Also, Ahmed Sule, a tourism expert, urged the minister to reposition the tourism industry, to remain viable sector of the economy.

According to him, Mr Ade-John can achieve this by ensuring a comprehensive resuscitation of the sector.

He added that she should activate the Instrumentality of collaboration and synergy with tourism-related sectoral bodies in the country.

According to him, if these related bodies are brought into the developmental strategies of the tourism industry, Nigeria will be better for it,” he said.

He further said that capacity building of the professionals was imperative to enhance the growth of the Industry.

(NAN)