The forthcoming United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global Conference will be used to showcase Nigeria’s tourism and creative assets.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the disclosure in his keynote address at the 2022 World Tourism Day, held during the week in Calabar Cross River State.
The minister said the global conference, that would be hosted by Nigeria, would also create a viable platform to identify, develop and promote new models of stronger partnership between tourism, culture and the creative industries.
The UNWTO Global Conference is scheduled to take place at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, from 14-16 November, 2022.
“The (World Tourism Day) celebration is particularly important this year because of the right granted to Nigeria by the UNWTO to host the first-ever UNWTO Global Conference.
[The conference is] on ‘Linking Tourism, Culture and the Creative Industries: Pathways to Recovery and Inclusive Development’,” he said.
Alhaji Mohammed noted that tourism, the world over, is recognized as a key contributor to job creation, sustainable economic growth, environmental conservation and poverty alleviation.
The minister also said it also acts as a catalyst for social equality and inclusivity as it provides women, youth and rural communities the means to support
themselves.
Apart from the above, he said, in addition, it is effectively accelerating progress across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He expressed delight that, in spite of the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector, it is now making a steady recovery.
Quoting the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, the minister said international tourism got back to 60 per cent of the pre-pandemic levels between January and July 2022.
He disclosed that international tourist arrivals into Nigeria almost tripled in January to July 2022, compared to the same period of 2021.
“The pandemic highlighted the critical need to transform the tourism industry as the global travel and tourism sector slowly recover – as emphasized by the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Rethinking Tourism’.
“I have no doubt that the time is right to begin this transformation and to rebuild the industry.
”The good news is that, given the resilience of the industry and its ability to recovery quicker than other sectors, there is the need for more inclusive and sustainable recovery approaches to be adopted,” the minister said.
Speaking on the theme of the 2022 World Tourism Day, ‘Rethinking Tourism, he said it aims to inspire the debate around rethinking the sector for development, including through education and jobs, tourism’s impact on the planet and opportunities to grow more
sustainably.
Alhaji Mohammed said the annual observance is also considered as a powerful advocacy tool to mobilize political will and resources.
He also noted that it is a good tool in addressing global problems, celebrating and reinforcing achievements at all levels and educating the public on issues of concern.
The minister commended the Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade, for hosting this year’s World Tourism Day and for his efforts at making the state and, indeed, Nigeria a preferred tourism destination in Africa.
“Tourism has significantly transformed the state into a choice destination where most fun-seekers and visitors long to visit.
“Your efforts in sustaining and improving the existing tourism assets in the state, particularly the annual Calabar Christmas Carnival, which is recognized globally, is a great milestone in the history of tourism in Nigeria,” he said.
The highlight of the 2022 event was a world-class Command Performance by the Cross River Cultural Troupe and the unveiling of the theme for the 2022 Calabar Carnival by Governor Ayade.
The minister was accompanied to the occasion by the Directors-General
of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Folorunso Coker;
National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Professor Abba Tijjani; National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Mr. Nura Kangiwa and the General Manager/CEO of the National Theatre, Professor Sunday Ododo.
Others included the Directors-General, National Gallery of Art, Dr. Ebeten Ivara; National Broadcasting Commission, Mallam Balarabe Illelah and the Artistic Director, National Dance Troupe, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed.
