Speaking during the 6th Hotel Managers’ Conference in Lagos, Lai Mohammed, a former minister, stressed the value of data in enhancing tourism services. He urged firms to examine data on visitor demographics, choices, and feedback to improve customer experiences and loyalty. Mohammed, who is also a Special Advisor to the UNWTO Secretary-General, emphasized the need for cultural awareness, giving instances of how cultural standards vary between nations. In light of their common African heritage and historical ties, he also urged companies to take advantage of the Nigerian diaspora market and use Nigerian festival celebrations, such as the Ojude Oba Festival, to draw tourists from the Caribbean and South America.
The industry is expanding as a result of people’s search for greater community involvement and exposure to culture. Travelers are exploring off-the-beaten-path locations across the nation instead of sticking to the typical tourist spots. Nigeria is home to a wealth of historical and natural attractions, including colourful festivals, captivating waterfalls, and ancient monuments. Positive developments in the sector are anticipated, with an emphasis on infrastructural development and policy reforms. Nigeria’s travel and tourism industry is anticipated to expand by 3.96 percent from 2024, with a projected market value of $3,896 million by 2028.
2024 has seen a number of interesting and notable trends.
It is anticipated that the industry will bounce back from the pandemic effect with more Investment and a renewed emphasis on domestic travel. The promotion of Nigeria’s rich natural resources and cultural legacy is at the centre of an increasing interest in eco- and cultural-tourism. To aid in the expansion of the sector, the government is making investments in the Construction of highways, airports, and lodging facilities. A developing trend in the industry is the adoption of digital innovation, with many companies investing in digital marketing and online platforms to expand their customer base.
Technology is revolutionizing the tourism industry in a number of ways, including virtual tours, and online booking systems. As the business continues to recover and adapt, 2024 has seen a number of interesting and notable trends. Domestic tourism has significantly increased further promoting the sector through times of global uncertainty. There is increasing investment in Infrastructure and attempts to draw in foreign visitors to increase foreign exchange reserves. These trends demonstrate how adaptable and resilient the sector is as it scales through possibilities and difficulties in the contemporary international landscape.
Revenue anticipated to reach $3,336.00 million by 2024.
Moreover, the country’s rich cultural legacy, stunning natural surroundings, and important historical monuments makes it a popular travel destination for both domestic and foreign travellers. The sector is diverse and is essential to the national economy. Data reported by Statista anticipated the sector’s Revenue to reach $3,336.00 million by 2024. Furthermore, online sales are expected to account for 68 percent of the entire revenue in Nigeria’s travel and tourism sector by 2028. Tourism IT is a sector that has a lot of promise and encompasses commercial tourism, ecotourism, heritage and cultural tourism.
Through a number of programmes, such as the National Tourism Development Master Plan, which aims to diversify the Economy and promote the industry, the Nigerian government has taken steps to proactively boost the sector. Policies are being developed to simplify the regulatory structures and to foster an atmosphere that is favourable to investments in tourism. The Nigerian tourism sector has potential, but it also faces a number of obstacles like Terrorism and abduction in some areas, which discourage visitors. In some other areas, development is hampered in certain places by inadequate Electricity supply, bad road networks, and a lack of lodging options.
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Some of the top tourist attractions in Nigeria include Lekki Conservation Centre, a wildlife reserve in Lagos, provides a pleasant respite from the metropolis; Yankari Game Reserve, a wildlife reserve in Bauchi State, is home to many animal species; Nike Centre For Art And Culture, an art gallery that exhibits Afro-centric artwork; Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a historic place with stunning vistas; Kajuru Castle, a Medieval-German style mansion in Kaduna State; Zuma Rock; a monolithic Inselberg with a human face located in Niger state; and the Agbokim Waterfall, a sequence of seven waterfalls encircled by greenery and birds.