*Thanks private sector for boycott compliance

The National President of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr Nkereuwem Onung has raised fresh posers over the recently held United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Global Conference on Linking Tourism, Culture and Creative Industries. The conference was held in Lagos from November 14 to 17, but was boycotted by Nigeria’s tourism organized private sector over the supervisory ministry’s neglect of the industry and refusal to carry the private sector along in its activities.

The FTAN President asked what the conference has achieved in the light of the refusal of Nigeria’s information ministry, the supervisory body for tourism, to carry along the organized private sector during the conference’s planning, leading to the boycott.

  Onung also asked whether the conference has delivered on the blueprint for tourism in Nigeria, or has accounted for COVID 19 palliative for the industry.

He said: “In an article on the UNWTO’s website published on September 25, 2021, titled Let’s Talk: Inclusive Growth in Tourism, ‘Inclusive Growth’ is defined as growth that is distributed fairly across society and creates opportunities for all.

“Recall also that one of the UNWTO’s priorities is – Building Partnerships: Engaging with the private sector, regional and local tourism organizations, academia, civil society and the UN system to build a more sustainable, responsible and competitive tourism sector.

 “Since we can only speak for the organised private sector as the umbrella body in the industry, it is only wise to ask how the UNWTO achieved all of the above in the just concluded conference?”

Onung commended the solidarity support by members’ associations under the federation to the prompt boycott of the recent solo-host of the UNWTO conference in Nigeria.

According to Onung, the industry is better managed and promoted to everyone’s benefit if we have one vision, speak with one voice and build agendas to score a sustainable goal that align with the public and private sector partnership (ppp) initiatives.

“For standing on the boycott order is a strength for us all to show the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed that everyone has a major role to play in tourism development and growth, and no one is an island in building a grand vision for tourism.

He explained that “One of the objectives of the conference as stated is that it will “offer a unique networking opportunity for industry players, practitioners, government officials and policymakers to debate contemporary and future issues, as well as exchange ideas and information relating to tourism, culture and the creative industry.”

“For the purpose of those who are not part of the Federation but have the interests of the industry at heart, I will provide a little context to the reason behind the ultimate decision to boycott the conference.

“Because we understand the importance of the relationship between the government and the private sector for the growth and sustainability of the tourism economy, we have attempted on several occasions to dialogue with the Minister of Information and Culture without success.

“The Minister for about eight years has ignored the private sector and then decides to lobby to bring the conference to Nigeria and expects the private sector to attend without liaising to infuse some private sector content to engage and stimulate activities afterwards?

“While we appreciate the original intention of the conference by UNWTO, we strongly believe that what the conference brought to Nigeria is not a conundrum nor an enigma, it is a straight-forward issue. It is about the National Theater Project.

“We do not know about any other reason for the conference because the Minister has no vision for the industry that we can connect with nor is there an agenda of the government known to the sector.

“We have continued to demand clear-cut policies that will grow tourism and none has been presented. We also observed that we have not benefited from any of the many UNWTO-assisted projects that drive and transform tourism.We therefore, thank all members and tourism Stakeholders who stood by the Federation.

Please, note that FTAN speaks for the industry but not all leaders/ stakeholders are members of FTAN. That is why we held press conferences in the early days and publicized our intention to boycott the conference to leave room for those who would need any clarification or more information.

Part of the functions of the Federation is to speak for and direct the affairs of member associations. An example is FTAN going to court on behalf of the Nigeria Hotels Association. Even though not all sectors/ stakeholders took part in the decision, the interest of the entire hospitality industry was protected.

Again, we sincerely thank stakeholders who stood by us. And seeing as a majority of industry stakeholders complied with this directive, we are encouraged.

Going forward, the Federation will develop a wider ring of consultation.

The question at this point is, has the conference delivered a blueprint for Tourism in Nigeria?

Has it accounted for the pending covid-19 palliatives to the tourism industry? Will there be better funding for the industry?Will the minister attend the next private-sector tourism event?

“These questions need answers as we will hope and pray that the new regime in 2023 will not leave the tourism industry an orphan.” Onung added