September 30, (THEWILL) – No fewer than one thousand participants and tourists converged on Lagos State Blue Line train terminal, Marina on Friday, to celebrate the 2024 World Tourism Day (WTD) with the theme, “Tourism and Peace”.
The even, which was organised by the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) and Lagos State Government agencies, focused on promoting hidden historical heritage and monuments in the state. It also showcased other indigenous tourism potentials across Lagos.
The event featured visits to the Universal Arts Studio at the National Theatre, Iganmu and the Jaekel Museum in the old Railway compound in Ebute Meta.
The mini museum showcases various railway activities and stories, while the Universal Arts studio is where many artworks in most galleries in Abuja and Lagos are being produced.
President of NATOP, Alhaja Bolaji Mustapha, during the occasion, stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence and collaboration with local communities in achieving sustainable tourism, urging the government to make the locations and sites their topmost priority regarding the sector’s growth.
She explained that the creation of related tourism activities or experiences around the sites for tourists will serve as an additional source of income for the state.
With these collaborative efforts with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, she hinted that the association has been permitted to promote these two hidden gems to the world. “We have done different destinations such as lounge, road, sea, but we haven’t done train,” she stated.
She urged tour specialists and destination promoters to showcase the country’s indigenous tourism resources in rural and urban communities to attract international audiences for sustainable development.
According to her, “Different things have been showcased, and that’s one of the reasons we chose this place. It’s hidden, nobody knows them, so we’re identifying the hidden gems where tourist attractions are and positioning them to the world.
“And you can see, even the local government staff, the people working in their tourism department, are seeing something different today. This is what they need to give back to the community. This is what each local government is actually assigned to do, creating some form of activities within the community.”
Former Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Honourable Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, said, “I am happy to be here. These are the people who have been pushing tourism forward.”
Anago Osho, Vice President of NATOP, Southwest Zobe, noted that the WTD celebration witnessed an impressive turnout, adding that the programme is to explore historical sites like the National Art Theatre, where the Universal Art Gallery produced remarkable artworks and the Railway Museum, a historical house.
While stressing the significance of celebrating in a variety of ways, Mr. Frank Meke, Founder of Creative Naija, encouraged young people who might not have encountered Africans except on television to interact with nature and form social bonds.
Akinbile-Yusuf came in the company of Chief Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, the Kosoko family Head Chief, and both boarded the skyline train en route to the National Theatre. Olojo-Kosoko, who equally served as tour guard, provided relevant information and Lagos history to the guests.
Mr. Taiye Olaniyi, President of Legacy 1995, highlighted the museum’s roles in Lagos State’s tourism development, noting that strategic partnerships between the agencies and tour operators will have positive impacts on the sector.
The attendees included legislative members of Lagos State, executive members of Lagos State, Yetunde Simson, former Director of Lagos State Tourism; Dr. Yemi Martins, Chief Executive Officer of Myte Vision USA, and Honourable Omolara Essien, Chairperson of Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, who was the host.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
