A tourism expert, Ahmed Sule, has called for a multifaceted approach to reposition Nigeria’s tourism sector to add value to the country’s gross domestic product in 2025.

Mr Sule, a member of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria, stated this in Abuja on Friday.

He said the repositioning of the industry is achievable when relevant stakeholders address its challenges, leverage existing assets, and promote sustainable practices.

According to him, measures such as policy framework, infrastructure development, and an improved transportation system should be considered to positively reposition the industry to impact Nigeria’s GDP.

Mr Sule, who is also the proprietor of White House Kitchen Restaurant, Abuja, said there should be a comprehensive ‘Tourism Development Master Plan’ for the sector that would be generally acceptable and implementable.

According to him, our level of infrastructural development is far from meeting the needs of the country’s numerous and huge tourism activities.
He added that some of these infrastructures include transportation, utilities, digitalisation, and the deployment of e-commerce.

According to him, the country is grappling with either non-availability or unsustainable utility services for water and electricity supplies.

The expert revealed that Nigeria was blessed with abundant tourism potential in terms of cultural and historical monuments, natural endowments of flora and fauna encapsulating scenic beauties and the hospitable nature of the people.

He also stressed the need to train and retrain personnel who run the industry for quality services that guarantee the viability of the industry.

He decried the high level of insecurity in most parts of the country, saying that safety and security measures must be ensured at all tourist destinations and along corridors to tourist sites and locations.

(NAN)