Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and key stakeholders in the tourism sector, have restated their determination to support all registered tourism facilities and practitioners in the state as a way of making the sector more attractive to tourists and projecting the state as the hub of tourism in Africa.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a two-day Tourism Working Summit, organised by the ministry in Ikeja, the state capital.
The Commissioner in the ministry, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, while delivering her closing remarks before the presentation of the communique, said the tourism sector requires
collective investment efforts from both the government and the stakeholders, affirming that the state government is ready to develop the sector.
She said, “We are ready to develop tourism and make Lagos a destination for investment. Government cannot do it alone; I, therefore, urge you stakeholders in the tourism sector to contribute your own quota to the development of the sector. If the private sector stands up with us, I can assure you that in another five years, we will get to where we need to be.
“Market Lagos for the world to see what we have and what we are doing. It is time for you stakeholders to work as a team and partner together with the government. Work with us to develop the sector, let us have one big event that we will be doing collectively that will further enhance tourism in Lagos State”.
She also urged the stakeholders to make their tourism sites attractive to tourists, noting that the use of tourism ambassadors is one of the ways to package the tourism sector in the state.
“In Lagos State, we have several tourism sites including hospitality, education, sport, short-let, beach, culture, festival, heritage, arts, entertainment and afrobeat as tourism products. If we have tourism ambassadors in each division of the state, it will go a long way to develop the sector. We can have the already known artists as tourist ambassadors”, she stated.
Akinbile-Yussuf enjoined participants to ensure the implementation of all the resolutions agreed upon at the summit as it concerns them, stressing that, “this summit is not just a summit like every other; I can assure you that all that we have discussed will be activated and you will see results”.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, while presenting the communiqué, said the state government will implement all that is stated in it while urging the stakeholders to ensure the same.
According to her, it was resolved that efforts should be geared towards fine-tuning strategies that will showcase and sell “The Best of Lagos” to potential tourists who are desirous of finding the best experience of entertainment, fun and relaxation and value for their money in addition to having packages that meet the needs of potential local travellers.
It was also resolved that tourism desks would be created in all the local council areas where it will be easier for the Ministry to take the inventory of the various tourism sites in the localities and put in place necessary plans and provisions for them towards developing domestic tourism.
Also, it was agreed that the summit should hold quarterly in the five divisions of the state, considering the fact that the summit has proven to be a veritable platform for cross-fertilisation of ideas and the development of the state’s position on tourism growth and
development.
The communique read in part, “In view of the crucial roles and contributions of Lagos State tourism as the third most visited tourist city in Africa, it is essential for all the tourism
stakeholders to collaborate with the ministry in order to make Lagos a choice destination for tourists; explore community-based tourism by focusing on our culture, festivals, heritage, and further explore tourism sites to attract more tourists.
“To achieve this, the state government’s focus on tourism infrastructure will be the quickest way to enhance the development and sustainability of domestic tourism; the focus on domestic tourism should expand the leisure economy, recognising that residents within the state also require leisure activities which in turn can then be made available to visitors and tourists visiting Lagos State.”
Participants at the summit include the Chairman, state House of Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Fatai Oluwa; Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu; Senior Special Assistant on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Tunji Saymour, as well as management staff of the ministry.
Others are members of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), Lagos State chapter and Hotel Owners and Managers Association of Lagos (HOMAL); Tour Operators; Tour Guides; Lagos State Boat Operators; Beach Resort and Leisure Owners and Tourism Practitioners.
The summit witnessed the presentation of two very thought-provoking and impressive presentations from the Organiser, Akwaaba Africa Travel Market, Ambassador Ikechi Uko,
on “The best of Lagos”, and Tourism Consultant, Red Clay Tourism Advisory and Faculty, Strategy Lagos Business School, Dr. Adun Okupe, on “Harnessing the transformative potential of sustainable tourism.”
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