Hotel Operators Canvass Development Of Tourism Sector

Nigeria’s unemployment level could be reduced by over 20 per cent if the tourism sector  gets boost in the nation’s planning strategy.

The Vice President of Nigeria Hotels Association (NHA) South South, Mr Rex Yakpogoro said this in his keynote address at the inauguration of the Rivers State chapter of NHA by the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Collaboration with Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in Port Harcourt, Thursday.

According to him tourism accounts for 10 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) and nearly 80 per cent of employment in developing countries.

“I believe that in Nigeria, Tourism/Hospitality should absorb at least 20 per cent of our population if the development of this sector is allowed to be in the front burner of our national planning strategy,” Mr Yakpogoro noted.

He added that tourism could lead to diversification of our economy and cultural exchanges if fully developed.

According to him, “Britain generates over $80 billion annually, Spain $70 billion and South Africa $71 billion to name a few. Tourism in India is the largest service industry with a contribution of 6.23 per cent of the National GDP and also 8.75 per cent of the total employment.

He explained that tourism is the second largest source of foreign exchange revenue in Kenya stating that their main tourist attraction include photo safaris through the 19 national Parks and reserves, Mosques, beaches along Indian Ocean and Kilimanjoro Mauntains.

Reiterating NHA’S Commitment to development of tourism in Rivers State; Mr Yakponoro who is also the Acting General Manager of Hotel Presidential, enjoined the members to accord the desired attention to the development of tourism in the state.

He stressed that the state has a high tourism potential which could be dichotomised into ecotourism and cultural tourism.

The ecotourism, he explained, include beaches, historical sites/monuments, lakes and ponds, resorts, botanical garden and recreational centres, cruses, Shrines and Oil and gas sites while cultural tourism has to do with traditional songs, wrestling, masquerade displays, cultural ceremonies, festivals and craft of various categories.

Members of the pioneering executive of the Chapter include Eugene Nwanzi Chairman, Chief Ezenokwe, Vice Chairman, Dr Felix.O. Felix Secretary, Napoleon Koko, Assistant Secretary,  Sandra Enejo, PRO, Menima Briggs, treasurer, Nelson Henry and John, ex-officials.

NHA is a member of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation NTDC. Over twenty hotels in the state were in attendance at the chapter inauguration.