The Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Folorunsho Coker, has solicited Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to build infrastructure for the growth of tourism in Nigeria.

“There is a need for public-private sector partnership to revive moribund tourism assets,” Mr Coker said in an interview on Sunday.

According to him, “the era of government funding of project 100 per cent is probably gone.”

The partnership, according to Mr Coker, would help in reviving moribund tourism assets and boosting the nation’s economy.

“This is the era of PPP for domestic tourism, to create a conducive environment for the creative industry,” he said.

“Our creativity needs a home like the London theatre.

“Government and the private sector need to build a home and release it to the creative industry to fly. We need to give our creativity infrastructure to grow,” the NTDC boss said.

Mr Coker also called on organisers of Nigerian cultural festivals to adopt best practices while organising cultural festivals.

“Every festival must have a commercial entity by allowing people who are local to that festival to make some money.

“This will help in strengthening people’s participation and boost their morale to ensure the success of the festival,” he said.

Mr Coker said that the corporation engaged stakeholders to sensitise them on technology and ways of conducting tourism business.

(NAN)