By Chinelo Chikelu
Amid global tourism's gradual recovery from a devastating and ongoing pandemic resulting in a $1.2 trillion loss in global tourism industry (UNWTO), 75m jobs losses globally (WTTC 2020), of which 50 per cent job cuts in the aviation industry are likely permanent according to the International Air Travel Association (IATA).
With the capacity to create massive employment, attract
foreign investment and currency, the sector relies largely on international
tourists for its 20% contribution to the economy. However, widespread
insecurity has left most parts of Nigeria unsafe. Insecurity arising from
insurgency, communal killings caused by herdsmen and farmers clashes, loss of
livelihoods induced by COVID, coupled with 'get-rich quick' mentality has
increased kidnapping activities and ritual killings.
Managing director, Infogem Limited and vice president ITPN,
Southwest, Otunba Ayo Olumoko, whose firm has consulted on several tourism,
culture and festivals in the southwest, said dearth of security across all
states of Nigeria had impacted corporate investment and international agency
support to tourism. "It is difficult to have international tourists visit
Nigeria. Usually, international scholars who want to know more about Nigeria
and Nigerian culture come around. Unfortunately, insecurity has eaten deeply
into the nation's marrow that its affected Nigeria's image," he said.
Kenya To Work With Nigeria In Tourism, Hospitality
Insecurity also threatens domestic tourism which has been
lauded as 'the low hanging fruit' to boost the sector's growth post-pandemic.
President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents (NANTA) Susan
Akooriaye, said Nigerians are unwilling to travel within the country owing to
increased insecurity activities. She noted that NANTA's scheduling of its
Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kano, resulted in outright refusal of members
to attend, more less international tourists. Moreover, domestic tourism, she
stressed "cannot make (Nigeria) the kind of money it's looking to make in
tourism by selling 'Nigerian tourism' to Nigerians alone. You make more money and
add to the GDP if tourism is sold to foreigners."
Motley Travels and Logistics Limited, an Abuja-based tourist
company that provides tourist packages to Nigerian and foreigners within the
country recorded a downturn in business resulting from insecurity. CEO Mark
More said tourist trips which attracted 100 online subscribers has nosedived,
with about 40 subscribers inquiring about safety leading to the reduction of
its annual group tours.
"Usually, we'd have about 250 persons on a trip to the
Gurara Waterfall in Niger State. In the last few years, a trip to Gurara
Waterfall hardly attracts 20 to 30 tourists. In the last one year, you hardly
get ten persons sign up for a group trip, and this is all centered on
insecurity issues. Obudu Cattle Ranch which draws tourists in December only saw
about 64 persons visit the site last year," lamented More.
Regardless of the dismal picture, private operators are
taking the initiative to ensure their survival.
Read the original article on Leadership.
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