A tourism and hospitality industry practitioner based in Port Harcourt, Mr Basil Tongo, has said that the Nigerian tourism industry could produce two million jobs by 2021, if properly harnessed.

Tongo, who is the Managing Director of Cenox Production in an interaction with The Tide said that it was unfortunate that the nations tourism industry had not been given adequate priority by all tiers of government.

He said “If properly harnessed, the industry would be capable of creating about two million jobs and would account for about 10 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product by 2021.

The tourism expert urged governments at both state and federal levels to take advantage of the tourism industry to earn revenue, as well as create employment for the citizens, and also suggested that the private sector   should be proactive to exploit the corporative benefits of tourism.

Tongo also said that it was very crucial that the nation should establish a good tourism policy framework, as well as effective and efficient institutions.

In addition, a national tourism development strategy must be formulated and must inevitably address issues beyond the sector.

Due to its huge potential,  tourism should be accorded more attention by the government, the policy makers and stakeholders, he added.

The tourism expert posited that the volume of tourism business in developed nations equals or even surpasses that of oil, food and automobile industries, adding that the hospitality area has also been identified as the bedrock of tourism.

He said that tourism has become one of the major players in international commerce and represents a major source of income for many developing countries.

Tongo said “The World Travel and Tourism Industry would be one of the world’s fastest growing sectors between 2011 and 2021.

The practitioner, however, suggested that the problem of infrastructure deficit and security should be addressed to make the nation more attractive to investors and tourists.