Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Tourism has declared the launch of the “Draft National Tourism Policy,” an endeavour meant to improve the nation’s reputation in the world travel and the sector’s market. In order to spur Economic Growth and protect cultural heritage, the policy places a strong emphasis on sustainable tourism, community participation, and diversifying its products, as revealed by Minister of the sector Mrs. Lola Ade-John during a virtual meeting with stakeholders. This policy addresses digital transformation and sectoral synergies, especially with aviation, and was developed in cooperation with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and other important stakeholders.
It is anticipated that the final policy would be finished by October and delivered to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in November. This industry in Nigeria has enormous potential, but growth has been hampered by a number of issues. Three major obstacles have been insufficient marketing, inadequate infrastructure, and insecurity. For example, both local and foreign tourists find it challenging to travel within Nigeria due to the unreliability of the country’s road network and public transportation networks. Many prospective visitors have also been discouraged by worries about their safety stemming from local conflicts and high rates of crime in some locations.
There are defined objectives for every step of the policy’s implementation.
These problems are made worse by a lack of Investment in tourist Infrastructure and insufficient international promotion. As noted by tourism expert Mr. Uche Okeke, “Any policy, no matter how well-crafted, will struggle to achieve its goals without addressing these fundamental issues.” Nigerian policy on the sector have changed throughout time, frequently mirroring the larger economic agendas of different governments. One of the first extensive attempts to organize the sector was the National Tourism Development Master Plan, which was introduced in 2006.
Nevertheless, little funding, unstable political environments, and low stakeholder participation hindered its implementation. The 2014 National Tourism strategy was another noteworthy strategy that attempted to streamline the growth of the industry among the states but encountered similar challenges, resulting in little effect. The current Draft National Tourism Policy aims to rectify prior deficiencies by embracing lessons learned and emphasizing Sustainability and diversity. These policies have built the foundation for their predecessors. There are defined objectives for every step of the Draft National Tourism Policy’s implementation.
Marketing and advertising will be given top priority in the second phase.
Improving Security and infrastructure in popular tourist destinations will be the main goals of the first phase, which will take place between 2024 and 2026. Along with improving security measures via collaborations with regional law enforcement agencies, this include modernizing highways, airports, and communication networks. To draw more tourists, marketing and advertising will be given top priority in the second phase, which runs from 2027 to 2029, both domestically and abroad. Packages for the industry will be developed and marketed by the government in close collaboration with the commercial sector, which includes airlines, hotel chains, and tour operators.
Moreover, the policy underscores the necessity of ongoing stakeholder engagements to guarantee that the viewpoints of nearby communities, environmental advocacy organizations, and commercial interests are integrated into its implementation. Nigeria’s tourist policy is in line with international trends that prioritize sustainability and community engagement, as contrasted with comparable policies in other nations. For example, Rwanda’s tourist strategy has effectively capitalized on its natural resources, such the mountain gorillas, while guaranteeing protection and benefits to the local people. Nigeria might follow Rwanda’s example, which has resulted in notable gains in the industry income and conservation efforts, particularly in its eco-tourism projects such as Yankari Game Reserve and Cross River National Park.
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Additionally, with strong security measures in place, this industry in South Africa’s has prospered by concentrating on infrastructural development and international marketing. For Nigeria’s tourist industry, the issuance of the Draft National tourist Policy is a major step forward. The policy lays the groundwork for a transformative period ahead by tackling the issues that have long impeded its growth and harmonizing with effective global practices. “Our commitment to this policy reflects our belief in the industry as a key driver of economic diversification, and we are dedicated to making this vision a reality,” Ade-John said in closing.