July 21, (THEWILL) – The Group Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow, Bayo Adedeji, has disclosed that international airlines operating in Nigeria make at least N80 billion monthly.
Adedeji disclosed this on Thursday, in Ilorin, Kwara State at the 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP).
He asserted that increased public-private sector cooperation will have a significant effect on advancing the national economy, adding that if Nigerians and industry participants woo foreign visitors into the country, tourism will increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.
Speaking at the event with the sub-theme, “Partnership for Progress: Shaping the Future of Tourism,” he reiterated that collaboration amongst practitioners along the value chain of the tourism sector should be everyone’s new goal.
He commended the Kwara State Government for its relenting efforts and pointed out that the state would earn N200 million if 200 million Nigerians visited Kwara State and spent N10,000 each. “This will spread to other industries; that is the tourism multiplier effect,” he said.
Adedeji stated that initiatives of this kind can only be accomplished with the backing of the Ministry of Tourism, even as he challenged the tour specialists to promote domestic travel.
Speaking on the sub-theme, “Peaceful Destinations, Progressing Economies: The Role of Tourism”, the Executive Director, Economic Development and Investment, Dr. Kabir Masanawai, urged the Federal Government to sustain the celebration of local festivals and carnivals like the Carnival Calabar, Argungu Fishing Festival, Abuja Carnival and more.
He said the youths should also engage more in the promotion of tourism destinations as they were equipped to be.
Speaking during the conference, Amb. Ikechi Uko, the founder of Akwaaba African Travel Market, commended Mrs. Lola Ade-John, the Minister of Tourism, for her efforts in promoting tourism.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
