Nigeria will use the next World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) global conference to highlight the nation’s tourism and creative capabilities, according to Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture.
The Minister said in his keynote address at the 2022 World Tourism Day Celebration in Calabar, Cross River State, that the international conference would also provide a useful setting for identifying, creating, and promoting fresh ideas for more robust collaborations between tourism, culture, and the creative industries.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has given Nigeria the right to host the first-ever UNWTO Global Conference on “Linking Tourism, Culture and the Creative Industries: Pathways to Recovery and Inclusive Development,” he said, referring to the conference that is scheduled to take place from November 14–16, 2022, at the National Theater Complex, Iganmu, Lagos.
“The (World Tourism Day) celebration is particularly important this year because of the right granted to Nigeria by the UNWTO to host
According to Alhaji Mohammed, tourism is widely acknowledged as a major factor in job creation, sustainable economic growth, environmental preservation, and the reduction of poverty.
He added that tourism also serves as a catalyst for social equality and inclusivity by giving women, young people, and rural communities the means to support themselves and by significantly accelerating the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
He expressed his happiness that the tourist industry is now steadily recovering despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s catastrophic impact on it.
According to the Minister, who cited the most recent UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourism recovered to 60% of pre-pandemic levels between January and July 2022, with foreign visitor numbers almost doubling compared to the same period in 2021.
“As the global travel and tourism sector steadily recovers, the pandemic underscored the vital need to reform the business, as stressed by this year’s celebration’s theme (Rethinking Tourism).
“The good news is that given the resilience of the tourism industry and its ability to recover quicker than other sectors, there is a need for more inclusive and sustainable recovery approaches to be adopted,” he said.
“I have no doubt that the time is right to begin this transformation and to rebuild the industry.”
Speaking on the “Rethinking Tourism” subject for the 2022 World Tourism Day, he said it hopes to spur discussion on rethinking tourism for development, particularly via education and employment, tourism’s influence on the environment, and chances to expand more sustainably.
The yearly commemoration, according to Alhaji Mohammed, is also seen as a potent lobbying tool to organize political will and resources, address global challenges, recognize and reinforce successes at all levels, and educate the public on pressing concerns.
He congratulated Prof. Ben Ayade, the governor of Cross River State, for hosting World Tourism Day this year and for his efforts to make Nigeria and the state of Cross River a popular tourist destination in Africa.
“Tourism has considerably changed the state, making it a desirable location that most adventurers and tourists wish to see.
Your efforts to maintain and develop the state’s current tourist resources, especially the renowned yearly Calabar Christmas Carnival, mark a significant turning point in Nigerian tourism history, the Minister added.
The Cross River Cultural Troupe’s command performance, which was of the highest caliber, and Governor Ayade’s announcement of the theme for the 2022 Calabar Carnival served as the festival’s high points.
The Minister was accompanied to the event by Mr. Folorunso Coker, Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Prof. Abba Tijjani, Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr. Nura Kangiwa, Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, and Prof. Sunday Ododo, General Manager and CEO of the National Theatre.
Others include Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed, artistic director of the National Dance Troupe, Mallam Balarabe Illelah, director general of the National Gallery of Art, Dr. Ebeten Ivara, and director general of the National Broadcasting Commission.