July 30, (THEWILL) – The High Commissioner of Botswana to Nigeria, Philda Kereng, has told tourism operators and regulators in the country that investment in the sector’s infrastructure and developing a value chain for their businesses remain key to growing the industry.
This is also as the envoy, a former tourism minister in the southern African nation, advised private sector operators in the tourism sector to strive to create a value chain for their businesses and events.
Delivering her paper as the lead speaker at the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) Conference session, held at the Rockview Royale Hotel, Abuja, on Tuesday, July 30, Kereng further proffered key solutions for private sector operators in navigating the path to sustainable growth for their businesses.
The 2024 AGM also featured a discussion session which had leaders in the country’s tourism industry as panellists.
This is also as former President of FTAN, Alhaji Munzali Dantata, was ratified as the substantive Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) after two months in an acting capacity following the resignation of Chief Samuel Alabi.
Speaking on the theme, “The Role of Private Sector in the Development of Tourism in Nigeria,” Kereng posited that collaboration between the private sector operators and the regulators in the public sector was a matter of necessity as, according to her, while the latter formulates the policies, it is still the former that is vested with the task of driving those programmes and laws.
She said the relationship must be mutually beneficial for any expected growth to take place in the economy, adding that there is no competition between both sector operators.
Kereng stressed the imperative of investment in infrastructure by the government, saying it is key to driving growth.
“Government needs the private sector to drive its policies, as the latter is the implementer of government policies. Therefore, policies enacted by the public sector must be all-inclusive.
“It’s also important that the government or regulators in the public sector see the imperative of investment in infrastructure as essential for any meaningful growth to be achieved.
“Government needs to look at tourism growth in terms of infrastructure investment. This means it’s how much you put in that you expect to recoup the investment. Countries that invest heavily expect to see a higher ROI than those that don’t. Infrastructure investment should also cover security deficiencies.
“Also, it has to be said that there must be a new way to approach industry challenges or implement policies in the sector. We can’t continue doing things the old way. The government needs the private sector, and vice versa,” she said.
Kereng charged private sector operators in the country to work towards positioning their businesses as a relevant player in the industry.
“Since the government needs you to drive its policies, you need to position yourself and your businesses to be relevant. If you have to be relevant, you must show your worth with real growth in your operations so as to convince the government that you are truly relevant.
“See yourself as an influencer who can drive that growth through your various businesses. You have to influence the industry with real growth, having a business that is actually delivering and attaining that sustainability level, job creation and tangible staff.
“That is how you influence the public sector; by growing your businesses through sustainable strategies,” Kereng stressed.
Charting the way forward, Kereng advised private sector operators to, among others, develop their capacities, engage the services of the media, embrace technology, and adopt a value chain approach in organising business events.
“You need to adopt a value-added approach when you organise events. Engage the micro-level operators and artisans who will plug into your events, thereby creating a value chain which by extension benefits the entire industry.
“For every event that you organise, there must be a value chain created. You grow by growing others for sustainable growth in the entire to take place,” she said.
She also harped on collaboration between all sector players in the tourism industry, urging them to work together and communicate ideas on developing the country’s economy.
Earlier, in his opening address, the President of the FTAN, Mr Nkereuwem Onung, said in choosing the theme for this year’s AGM, the association had acknowledged the efforts made by the private sector in tourism development in Nigeria, including job creation and infrastructure development, noting that for sustainable growth to be firm, the public sector operators need to play their part.
“Rather than make laws to tax and take a toll from our businesses, we would like to see the government being decisive on appropriate visa policy, stimulate market demands with appropriate marketing strategies, invest in tourism assets/attractions, fix the roads, provide security, and maintain peace,” Onung said.
The FTAN President, therefore, used the opportunity to invite the public sector to have lunch with the private sector, adding that it has become imperative for the regulators to dialogue with the private sector operators in the country in order “to chart a new course for Nigerian tourism”.
“We are told that Nigeria has secured hosting rights for the 68th UN Tourism CAF meeting in 2025. What does it hold for the country? Will the country be at WTM, London? Where are the 2 tourism laws we procured last year? Is it not yet time to engage us? Where is the blueprint of the new ministry? Lunch is served.
“Let us work together to chart a new course for Nigerian tourism. Let us explore innovative solutions, foster partnerships, and drive growth,” Onung stressed.
He assured that his group “will continue to drive the narrative of peace within the tourism ecosystem. We are open to continuous consultation with the Tourism Ministry, SON, tourism MDAs, ECOWAS etc. We need cooperation among industry players for collective advocacy as it is the prerequisite for shared prosperity.”
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
