NTDC D-G decries how COVID-19 reversed growth in Nigeria tourism

Mr Folorunsho Coker, the Director – General (D-G) of  the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), says that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the modest but progressive growth of the country’s tourism sector.

Coker said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that the revitalisation of the sector to meet with government’s economic diversification plans was greatly affected by the pandemic.

“To say that tourism is one of the sectors worst hit by the COVID-19 since early 2020 is rather stating the obvious.

“The advent of the virus disrupted the traditional modes of human convergence, whether around economic, social or other forms of activity.

“It has been rather unfortunate that tourism, which was positioned as one of the sectors of outstanding growth for the Nigerian economy had to bear one of the severest brunts of the coronavirus offensive.

“The tourism sector had been well heeled to make a significant contribution to our country’s non-oil revenue stream before the outbreak of the virus in Nigeria in 2020,” he said.

Coker noted that the NTDC had already developed templates that would make the sector profitable before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that the corporation had taken a particular interest in developing domestic tourism potential of the country for improved patronage.

“Prior to the assault of the virus, the growth trajectory of Nigerian tourism was looking toward double digits, as many of the country’s tourism assets were being revitalised.

“Our music and creative industries were equally gaining more universal appeal and patronage.

” These were further buttressed by the surging inroads being made to Nigerian hubs of religious expression from across the African continent, and beyond.

“The country’s craft, traditional festivals and diverse food were gaining more attention than was the norm, from far and wide.

“All these were setting the ground for a major spike in Nigeria’s domestic tourism, which had been invigorated for a bold surge through key policy, regulatory and management efforts of the NTDC,” he said.

Coker said that the framing and implementation of the “Tour Nigeria” brand was already in progress, to inspire newer levels of interest in the many unique national destinations and sights.

He said that the brand, which was anchored on the premise of diversifying and substantially growing the country’s economy, was poised to expand the uptake and consumption of Nigerian tourism.

” Tour Nigeria brand is leveraged to become a premier destination for authentic Nigeria content, in a way that deploys creativity, arts and culture, all driven by technology, to advance the new national agenda.

“Our country’s over 7,000 tourist destinations, including renowned world heritage sites, and a myriad of attractions have positioned domestic tourism in the new frontline of Nigeria’s renascent economic development,” he said.

He assured  the citizens that, with increased and improved budgetary performance in project execution and implementation, the NTDC was poised to keep delivering on its mandate, whilst adapting to newer realities.

“NTDC will persist in its activities within the framework of excellence in public service delivery, ‘ ‘ he said.