Tourism has often demonstrated its role as a vital tool in the advancement of economies through direct domestic and foreign exchange earnings and through the employment and investment opportunities it can generate.
Most African countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, often over-reliant on one or two sectors for economic development, have recognized the potential of the tourism industry to diversify local economies and contribute to poverty alleviation, economic regeneration and stability, affording many Africans the opportunity to participate in and benefit from tourism.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, at a ceremony to mark the 2016 World Tourism Day in Lagos, said there are other sustainable means of earning foreign exchange outside of oil, to grow our country’s GDP and create jobs for our people.
The Minister said, “Tourism is the low hanging fruit in this regard, and we must not hesitate to pluck it.”
He reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to explore and exploit tourism for the benefit of its economy, while the role of the government will be to provide the enabling environment, the private sector will drive the growth of tourism.
The participation of local populations in Africa’s tourism industries, however, is often limited to employment opportunities. Travel by local tourists is often overlooked by members of the tourism industry, and is often considered a luxury by many in the local population.
The role of domestic tourism and its importance for the creation of a sustainable tourism industry cannot be over emphasized it has been widely acknowledged, but limited writings on the subject exist and few tourism policies include domestic tourism, neglecting its potential.
According to Chief S.O. Onyeabo, Lecturer, Department of Leisure and Tourism and Immediate Past Head of Department at the Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi State, who spoke about impact of tourism to the development of the country’s GDP, noted that professionals are not place to head the tourism sector.
He said, “round pegs are put in square hole” he noted that until professional who know what the tourism and hospitality industry is all about are brought in the industry may continue to suffer setback.
“Why would the federal government appoint a Banker or Lawyer, who knows nothing about tourism to head the sector”
Tourism sector lacks proper regulations. There are lots of revenue generation from tourism activities are quite substantial.