At FTAN 25TH AGM, Govt, Operators Seek Common Ground To Grow Tourism
The Federation of
Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) last week held its 25th Annual General
Meeting and Tourism Conference at the Rockview (Royal) Hotel, Abuja. FTAN is
the umbrella body for private sector operators of Nigerian tourism. The
atmosphere was a colourful and enlivened one, with many of the attendees;
operators on Nigerian tourism in the different segments of the business,
including government officials; looking the part and set for the business of
the day.
The
first session of business for the day was the formal opening ceremony that
heralded the tourism conference, with the theme; Tourism in Nigeria: The way
forward, featuring two panel sessions comprising discussants from both the
private and public sectors, with the keynote address delivered by the former
governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, setting the compass for the
panels. This year’s event turned out to be not just colourful but one adjudged
by many as the most successful and eventful in recent years.
The
government was fully represented at the event, with the Director General of
Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Folorunsho Coker, standing in
for the Minster of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who has been
in the eye of the storm, as a result of the frosty relationship between him and
the federation, which has called him out for his poor leadership and total
abandonment of Nigerian tourism.
There was also in
attendance, the DG of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba
Olusegun Runsewe and the DG of the National Institute for Hospitality and
Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, who was represented by Mr.
Philips Maga. Against this background many had expected a tensed atmosphere and
a hold back by the two parties; that is, government and FTAN, however, it
turned out to be a convivial atmosphere, availing each party to shoot straight
from the hilt, without holding back on the failings on each part. What was most
instructive was the reconciliatory move on the side of the government, leading
to the two parties resolving to work together in exploring common grounds for
growing tourism going forward.
FTAN
is devoted to impacting its members, growing tourism – Onung
The
President of FTAN, Nkereuwem Onung, set the tone for the day in his welcome
address when he painted a glowing picture of the success story of the
federation in the last one year in terms of moving the federation on a new path
of growth and engagement with both the government and operators in the sector
and across board.
‘‘I’ m proud of
everything that we have accomplished in the last one year; delivery on most of
the ambitions of our 2021 campaign strategy, particularly when faced with the
most difficult of circumstances of last year.’’ However, Onung noted that:
‘‘Our promise of consultation, collaboration, and friendly disposition, has
been hindered by the arrogant disposition of the Ministry of Information and
Culture. We believe it is time to push for a separate ministry for tourism in
Nigeria.
‘‘Our
recent imbroglio with the ministry on the hosting of the UNWTO conference on
cultural tourism and creative industries was imperative because of the neglect
of the tourism industry and lack of appreciation of the contributions of the
private sector in tourism development.’’
Going
forward, Onung said, the federation is set on a new path, which is that of
creating wealth for itself, the members and the nation, noting that FTAN wants
to create businesses for itself without conflicting with those of its members.
This, he said will be achieved through the new matrix of TRIAC created by the
federation. TRIAC, he said denotes: Tourism promotion (T); Research and
development (R); Insurance (I); Advocacy; (A); and Capacity building (C). He
disclosed that plans are underway to formally present the new matrix and other
projects of the federation to the public.
The
DG of NTDC, Coker, who worn two caps on the day, started his presentation on a
conciliatory note, commending the leadership of the federation for creating
what he described as a new FTAN, declaring to the admiration of the audience
that: ‘‘There is a new FTAN now, speaking with one voice,’’ as he admonished;
‘‘I want to encourage everybody to join and speak with one voice so that the
government can know who to listen to, follow and work with in the development
and promotion of Nigerian tourism.’’ He also applauded the federation for
developing new capacities and evolving with the time in order to deliver on its
promises.
While
pledging to work closely with FTAN, he said it is time to close the gap and
buried disagreements and disappointments of the past, in apparent reference to
the frosty relationship between the ministry and FTAN, with a promise to lead
the charge in resolving these differences. Coker also spoke of the need to
embrace the new digital space, improve access to tourism, creating palliatives
and incentives as well as seeking for investment fund for tourism, especially
cheap loans and grants. He lamented the shrinking budget for tourism with so
much to do but with inadequate resources. Given this frustrating situation,
Coker said; ‘‘We must and should address the issue of funding between the
ministry, it agencies and FTAN.’’
He ended by giving
two promissory notes to FTAN; the first being a promise to organize a retreat
for the sector involving the ministry, NTDC and other parastatals and agencies
of tourism and FTAN to resolve the lingering issues affecting everyone. Then
the second promise; is that of purchasing a bus for the federation. Both
promises elicited a resounding applause and approval from everyone. The ball
now is in the court of Coker and it is hoped that he would walk his promises
and put to an end some of the issues affecting the sector, which have not
allowed for enabling environment for the public and private sector to engage
meaningfully.
We need divine intervention – Runsewe
Runsewe
was not his usual egregious self when he mounted the podium, rather he was
pensive, sober and reflective in his disposition and short delivery, lamenting
the failures of the sector, as he insisted that not enough has been done by
both the private and public sector to take advantage of what tourism offers the
nation. With the huge resources of the country, he said it is disappointing
that the nation is still struggling to get off the block and embrace the path
of prosperity. Therefore, he said; ‘‘We need to sit down and tell ourselves the
honest truth, it is time to tell the truth to ourselves.
I
want to appeal to FTAN that nothing good comes without it challenges,
therefore, let’s do what is needed of us to move this industry forward. ‘‘This
is the biggest industry that can change Nigeria and Nigerians, let’s wake up
and move this sector to the next level. On that note I commit this industry
into the hands of God because it is divine intervention that we need.’’ He got
a rousing applause from the audience, which was moved by his short but frank
call to action.
FTAN
is destined for success – Alabi
The
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of FTAN, Chief Samuel Alabi, who was
represented by a member of the board, Alhaji Aminu Agoha, a former president of
the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), harped on the new
spirit of FTAN to admonish the members to be positive and dedicated to growing
Nigerian tourism. While commending the leadership of the federation, he said
that the federation is destined for success if it continue on the new path to
glory, saying; ‘‘With the new FTAN, the federation is going to make inroad and
break new grounds.’’
One
other issue that attracted his attention was that of the lack of conservation
and preservation of the nation’s traditional, cultural and national heritage.
He called on the government to put in place appropriate mechanism to ensure the
protection of these assets because of their potential to enrich the overall
offerings of Nigerian tourism.
SON
pledges technical support for standards, certification of tourism products –
Salim
For the Director
General and Chief Executive of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON),
Mallam Farouk Salim, who was represented by the Technical Secretary for
National Mirror Committee on Tourism and Related Service, Chidinma Ewuzie, it
is time Nigeria embrace global standards and certification for its tourism
products, to this end, he declared the commitment of SON in offering technical
support for the sector, working with FTAN, to achieve this onerous task.
‘‘SON
as we know, is the apex standardisation body in Nigeria that provides
unequivocal technical support to all businesses in determining quality of
products/services using; standardisation, certifications and quality
assurance,’’ said Salim. Adding that: ‘‘I am here today to remind us that we
have in Nigeria all technical support we need to ensure that our tourism
products are of quality and can access all desired markets once they are
certified to the Nigerian Industrial Standards. ‘‘We are therefore, willing and
ready to work with FTAN and the tourism sector to offer technical support for
certification and standardization of Nigerian tourism products.’’
In
his keynote address, which set the tone for the two panel sessions, the former
governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, looked at the challenges
and prospects of Nigerian tourism. Given his antecedents as the former governor
of the only state in Nigeria with a claim to truly building a tourist
destination, he spoke exponentially, offering benefits of his insights. Some of
the posers raised by him include the need to understand that tourism is private
sector driven, therefore, it is imperative for the government to properly
define its role, which majorly is to provide enabling environment and
incentives for tourism to thrive.
While
the private sector would also need to understand what its roles are and play
along those lines. However, he lamented the huge gap created by the lack of
understanding of these roles, therefore, called for tourism to be redefined if
progress at all would be made in its development and promotion. He also drew
attention to some other challenges, which included the lack of data for
planning and measuring the contribution of tourism to the Gross Domestic
Product of the nation; the unattractive nature of Nigerian tourism, which he
said is due to the lack of tourism culture among Nigerians, insecurity and
cultural beliefs.
However,
he lamented that; ‘‘The greatest challenge I find is insecurity and access to
tourism, which the government has to provide and when the government fails then
the investors and operators too fail. ‘‘These are critical issues that we must
address.
Why
is the tourism budget shrinking when we a have a sector that we want to grow?
How and when do we create capital for the industry? Is tourism a luxury good or
is it a necessity? All of these are part of the challenges that we face.’’ He
also looked at the area of developing tourism products, with attention on MICE
and virtual tourism, which he said, is evolving and is the future. In terms of
the prospect, Imoke said;‘‘Nigeria potential is huge, we have so much to give
as a nation to ourselves and the world. We must remain optimistic and ready to
evolve. However, we do have security issue but let’s find a way around it. ‘‘I
believe that inspite of the challenges, the tourism industry has potential,
let’s look it and let’s explore it.’’
Private
and public sector panels
The
two panel sessions were quite insightful and incisive, with the discussions by
the public sector led by Coker, Kangiwa, who was represented by Maga and the
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile
-Yusuf, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Mrs. Yetunde Simpson
while the private sector panel that was moderated by Andrew Iro Okungbowa,
Travel and Tourism Editor, New Telegraph Newspaper, was led by Dr. Adun Okupe
of Red Clay Advisory, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, president of Institute of Tourism
Professionals Nigeria (ITPN) and Adedayo Adesugba, CEO of Nexus318 Hospitality
Management and Investment Company Limited. Post script: It’s time for action –
Onung In his post script remarks at the end of the fruitful AGM and Tourism
Conference, the President of FTAN, Nkereuwem Onung, expressed appreciation to
the federation members and the government agencies for not only attending the
event but also for their various supports in ensuring that the event was successful
and inclusive as planned. Going forward, he called for action on the part of
both the government and the private sector in order to achieve the desire
results, with a promise to make public the documented resolutions from the
event. According to him: ‘‘The industry has spoken and we listened.
It’s
time for action and implementation. From the Keynote speaker’s urge to redefine
tourism in Nigeria, to the government panel’s reminder that oil will deplete in
the near future but tourism will never finish, to the private sector’s call for
the need to develop a comprehensive market with a full grasp of the ecosystem
and a stand-alone ministry.
‘‘It
is time to increase the momentum of our demands for the industry and our
partnerships with agencies, member associations, organisations and individuals
who are interested in joining us to move the industry ahead. In the coming
weeks, we shall be presenting you with action points from the focus group
appointed to highlight key points from the AGM. ‘‘Once again, I thank you all
for the massive show of support especially our three industry agencies; NCAC,
NTDC and NIHOTOUR for the financial, moral and other support given to us which
was greatly instrumental to the success of this AGM. ‘‘I look forward to the
advancement of the industry with these renewed commitments and collaborations.’’
Credit: Andrew Iro Okungbowa
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