Father of Nigerian Tourism and  managing director of Brooklyn  Group of Hotels and Brooklyn Tourist Centres, Chief Mike Amachree has called on Nigerians to participate actively in  tourism activities so that they will live long, improve their health and be happy.

The tourist guru  gave the admonition while speaking with pressmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. He said tourism goes beyond indooor sedentary leisure activities and  also involves lots of outdoor activities that are beneficial to human health.

Amachree said  Nigerians should do away with the misconception that  tourism  is an elitist activity enjoyed by the rich only.  He said: “Nigerians should take relaxation and going out on tourist vacations very serious. Many researches have shown that when you engage tourism and leisure activities such as mountain climbing,  dancing, singing, safari, boat regatta, boat cruise, domestic fishing, horse riding, water sports,   so on, it  promote wellness and prolongs people’s lives.

Those who engage in such outdoor tourism activities enjoy both mental and physical wellness. In our today’s world, tourism activities like going on vacation is no longer  just leisure, it has become  a necessity to maintain balanced and healtheir life.

“Nigeria is blessed with so many tourist attractions that people could visit to improve and maintain their health, live long and also enjoy their vacations.

“In Jos Plateau area, one of the favourite tourism activities there is rock and mountain climbing. The serenity of the Obudu Mountain area is also there for our enjoyment. Tourists could also explore the coastline of Lagos, Port Harcourt and other riverine communities to enjoy the natural, healthy air and serenity. We need to learn to enjoy all these for our health and well being.”

Amachree also said apart from himself who is actively engaged in tourism in Nigeria, there are other promoters like  the managing director of La Campagne TRO, Beach Resort, Ikegun, Lagos State, Dr. Wanle Akinboboye , Chief Trazan Balogun of Tarzan Boats and others. They could visit places like  Whispering Palms Resort, Iworo,  Badagry, Lagos; Emir’s palace, Kano; Argungu Fishing Festival ground, Kebbi State; Brooklyn Tourist Centre, Rumuosi, Port Harcourt; Oguta Lake Resort, Imo State; Ogbunike cave, Anambra State, many others.

Chief Mike Amachree is a former President of Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) and he was for many years part of the public and private efforts to develop Nigerian tourism and turn the country in a viable tourist destination.