Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria [FTAN] has praised its members on the occasion of 2024 World Tourism Day (WTD) billed for Friday, September 27, just as the federation hailed their contributions towards sustaining the sector in the face of a myriad of challenges.

The WTD is celebrated globally as recognised at the United Nations. The theme for this year’s celebration is; ‘Tourism and Peace.’

According to the President of the federation, Mr Nkereuwem Onung, during a virtual media briefing, held Wednesday, ahead of the event in Nigeria, this year’s theme ‘underscores the crucial role that the tourism sector plays in promoting cultural understanding and fostering reconciliation across the globe.’

Onung further affirmed that the survival of the country’s travel and tourism sector is a testament to the resilience of the private sector players who have surmounted difficult challenges, including inclement operating environment and continue to drive the industry till date and contribute their quota to the sustenance and development of the Nigerian economy.

This is also as he recognized ‘the powerful impact travel can have in bridging cultural divides, facilitating dialogue, and nurturing peaceful coexistence.’

“In a world often challenged by conflict and misunderstanding, tourism serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging respect for diverse cultures and promoting unity within communities.

“World Tourism Day is not merely a celebration of travel; it is a celebration of our collective potential to build a more peaceful world.

“Our members are vital to this mission, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and understanding that transcend borders,” he stated.

The FTAN leader used the occasion of the occasion to encourage its diverse members to engage in activities that align with this year’s theme, as well as, ‘reflect on the significance of this day and to continue championing the values of peace, understanding, and reconciliation in their practices.’

“From organising events to fostering dialogue between tourists and local communities, there are countless opportunities to promote peace through tourism.

“We invite everyone in the tourism sector to reflect on the significance of this day and to continue championing the values of peace, understanding, and reconciliation in their practices.

“Together, we can harness the transformative power of tourism to create a more harmonious world,’ he said.

Onung, however, expressed concern over the current lack of synergy between public and private sector operators under the current administration, noting that aside from the occasional appearances of the Minister of Tourism at select events, ‘little progress has been made.’

This is just as he lamented the absence of concrete measures to elevate tourism to a standalone ministry, a goal long advocated by stakeholders.

“This is not the tourism industry we envisioned when the ministry was established, and it is disheartening to see the aspirations of many go unaddressed,” he remarked.

Onung reiterated his call for collaboration among the leadership of the Ministry of Tourism, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), and the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR).

This is further as he emphasized that meaningful and profitable growth in the tourism sector ‘can only be achieved through cooperative efforts.’

“Let us all commit to working together to build a vibrant and impactful tourism industry that promotes peace and understanding for the benefit of all,” he stressed.

Fielding questions by the tourism press, the FTAN president who noted that there has been little progress made at the public sector level in advancing the country’s tourism sector over the last two decades, said a blueprint is needed which should clearly state the roles and terms of engagement between the government and the private sector operators for the much-talked about inclusivity.

On the subject of collaboration and inclusivity, the FTAN president insisted on a proper working document or template defining roles and terms of engagement and participation by all parties in the Nigeria tourism ecosystem, which he added, was crucial to jumpstarting the process of recovering grounds lost in the past due to what he described as ‘bad leadership.’

“Besides this, we have been waiting for that working document to be able to establish a proper framework of engagement with government by us at FTAN representing the private sector.

“We are celebrating the resilience of these individuals who have survived these challenges and defied the odds in prevailing over the security and infrastructure challenges to remain in business,” Onung stated.