NTDC, stakeholders brainstorm to accelerate tourism sector recovery from impact of COVID-19

The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and some key stakeholders on Wednesday converged on Jos to brainstorm on ways to accelerate the recovery of the tourism sector from the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Director-General of the corporation, Mr Folorunsho Coker,  said in his welcome address that the North Central Stakeholders Forum was organised to collectively develop proactive and sustainable ideas that would help the sector to recover from the pandemic.

Coker said that the NTDC was aware of the far-reaching impacts of the virus on the tourism and hospitality eco-system in Nigeria, hence the initiative.

“Its negative impacts are correspondingly reflected in the loss of revenues, employment and livelihoods at varying degrees for our stakeholders.

“I commend your resilience as businessmen and stakeholders.

“I also extol your steadfast commitment to the growth of the sector even in the face of huge economic and social challenges occasioned by the impacts of the devastating virus,” he said.

He said that as a nation, Nigeria needed to consider and deploy innovative recovery solutions that were home grown and practical, tailor made for our specific environment and people.

The director-general said the solutions should offer healing for the people, healing for prosperity and healing for destinations.

“The NTDC conceived the ‘Tour Nigeria” brand to drive domestic consumption of tourism products in Nigeria, commercialise tourism and generate employment.

“The brand is hinged on the identification, exploration, exposition, enhancement and promotion of creative assets across the country, using sustainable approaches.

“We believe that an entrepreneurial mindset to tourism business brings a fresh innovative perspective to tourism governance,” he said.

According to him, the intentional promotion of domestic tourism is crucial to reenergising the economy and rural development in Nigeria.

Mrs Tamwakat Weli, Plateau Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, in a keynote address, commended NTDC for choosing Plateau to host the stakeholders forum.

Weli said that the interaction was vital and critical to the tourism sector development, not only in Nigeria, but the world over.

“The choice of this theme: “The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Nigeria and the Way Forward” is very apt as the Industry is the worst hit since the inception of this monster (COVID-19).

“It is an obvious fact that since the emergence of the pandemic, there has been international, national and state restrictions on travels and movements of people.

“Equally, there were series of lockdowns which led  to massive cancellations of tourism and hospitality services at destinations across the globe.

“This unfortunate development led to unprecedented huge financial losses, folding up of many corporate tourism businesses and job losses for tourism/hospitality industry workers,” she said.

She commended Coker for creating Tour Nigeria brand and other initiatives to promote domestic tourism.

Mr Isaac Sanda, Chairman, Trustees of Wayfarers of Jos Hiking and Adventures Club, in another keynote address, said that domestic tourism industry had been suffering from little awareness, poorly packaged and advertised tourism opportunities prior to the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sanda also said that the sector suffered  from poor physical infrastructure, very bad communication systems, insufficient security, and insufficient emergency healthcare, unclear tourism visions and the likes.

“These myriads of complexities have been worsened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At the end of 2020 the World Travel and Tourism Council estimated that about 75 million tourism jobs were lost worldwide.

“The International Air Travel Association says 50 per cent of lost jobs in aviation may be permanent.

“These damning statements should be a cause for grave concern.

“But there is a way forward; the country and indeed the whole world, are seeking innovative ideas and solutions to jumpstart economies and regain employment numbers as we also seek medical and scientific remedies to the pandemic,” he said.