Amachree Hails Wike, FTAN Over Awards

Former President of Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Chief Mike Amachree has commended the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) and the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for recognising his contribution to the growth and development of the tourism industry in Nigeria.
Amachree said this shortly after being conferred with an award for his contribution toward the development of the tourism subsector in Nigeria, during the 20th anniversary of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) in Lagos.
The doyen of tourism said that the gesture was a reminder of what Governor Wike did in 2017 when he gave awards to Nigerians who made major contribution to the development of the state, stressing that “by the grace of God, I was one of those honoured by the Governor; for my achievements in the area of tourism development and promotion in the state. I commend the Rivers State Governor for the worthy recognition accorded me,” he said.
He also said that the gesture by FTAN is capable of spurring the practitioners to source for more tourists from Europe, America, Asia, Africa to Nigeria to improve on domestic tourism, adding that this will increase our foreign exchange earnings, boost domestic tourism, industrialise and provide employment for the masses.
Chief Amachree who described tourism as private sector driven however added that, government can assist in the development of the sector through the provision of an enabling environment for the sector to thrive.
to provide low interest rate from banks to operate as obtained in Egypt.
Also the association in collaboration with the Plateau State government in 1990 organised the Plateau Tourism Development Fund launching chaired by former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, also in attendant was former president Ibrahim Babangida who invited all the State Military governors in Plateau State to launch the fund, stressing that the proceeds from the launching were used in creating roundabouts in Jos.
While in Jose, the practitioners also visited the Late Emir of Kano and Late Gbong-Gwon Jos to discuss issues concerning accessibility of tourist to their palaces.
He queried why the sector which was developed in 1990/1991 cannot be developed now, he called for FTAN and other tourism bodies to come together and initiate viable tourism programmes which he believed government will be supportive to it.