Institute Wants FG To Develop Domestic Tourism

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), last Thursday called on Federal Government to develop the country’s domestic tourism.

Director of Hospitality in the institute, Mr Ernest Obia, made the call in an interview with newsmen  in Abuja.

He said that promoting domestic tourism was critical to ensuring that the tourism sector survived, noting that it entailed travelling within one’s country and from one state to another.

” The vast cultural diversity in Nigeria is unique as many countries do not have it; it is important that such products are used to promote and grow the country’s tourism,’’ he said.

The director said that domestic tourism was the centre-piece of tourism because international tourism flowed from it.

“It is the same thing foreigners travel to see that the domestic people see. “In fact, tourism centres on domestic tourism because when there is movement within the country, that is when foreigners will come,’’ Obia added.

He urged the government to create an enabling environment for investors by providing adequate infrastructure that would boost tourism.

“There should be good road network; there is also need for government to build a comfortable airport for easy accessibility by all.

When this is done, the tourism industry will be a sector that would drive the economy for our country,’’ Obia said.

Obia called on Nigerians to spend vacations in the country to promote the country’s tourism sector.