ACETNews
As Nigeria celebrated its 66th Independence Anniversary, the country’s tourism story reflects decades of institution-building, heritage preservation and efforts to develop destinations.
Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has gradually built structures around tourism, from the Nigerian Tourist Association to the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority.
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, established in 1987, also reflected efforts to develop professional skills for the hospitality and tourism industry.
Nigeria’s heritage has equally gained international recognition, with the Sukur Cultural Landscape and Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove listed as UNESCO World Heritage properties.
The Sukur Cultural Landscape was listed in 1999, while the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove followed in 2005.
Other Nigerian attractions, including Oke-Idanre, Ogbunike Caves, the ancient Kano City Walls, Old Oyo and Gashaka-Gumti National Park, are on UNESCO’s Tentative List.
Yet, six decades after independence, the question remains how to turn these attractions, institutions and years of promotion into a functioning tourism economy.
Tourism consultant Uche Chinonso said Nigeria’s challenge goes beyond promoting destinations.
“We don’t lack destinations or places to visit. We just lack the public relations and the marketing of the destination,” he said.
According to Chinonso, destination promotion must be matched by places and experiences that give visitors reasons to travel.
“We cannot sell what we don’t have,” he said.
He also questioned the repeated conversations around tourism without enough attention to actual destination visits, noting that Nigeria holds numerous tourism conferences but needs more emphasis on visiting and experiencing destinations.
Chinonso, who is the founder of E Travels and Tours, called for a stronger culture of domestic tourism, urging Nigerians to deliberately visit attractions within the country.
He said such visits could help Nigerians become familiar with local destinations and build greater awareness through direct experience.
“Everybody in Nigeria should be able to sell in destination Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s tourism potential extends beyond having attractions to creating experiences around them and making those experiences accessible to visitors.
He identified accessibility, accommodation, transportation, safety, skilled personnel, investment, reliable information and destination management as important parts of the process.
As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, the tourism conversation therefore extends beyond what the country possesses to how those assets can be developed into destinations that people visit, experience and support through their spending.
courtesy: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
