The Lagos State chapter chairman of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Dr. Babatunde Mesewaku has called on tourism industry practitioners to embrace innovations within the industry to succeed in their business. He said globally, the tourism industry was constantly evolving with new innovations and ideas, with old ways of doing business becoming obsolete and unprofitable. And that for practitioners to excel in their business, they must keep learning, unlearning, and relearning .

Mesewaku said this while delivering an address during the ITPN Lagos State chapter 2024 mandatory Continuous Professional Development (CPD) workshop for members. The theme for the workshop was ‘’The contemporary tourism landscape and the binary concepts of Learning, Unlearning and Relearning.’’

Mesewaku said the concepts of learning, unlearning and relearning was something members must adapt to in order to thrive in the face of the dynamics that characterize the global tourism landscape. He said training has become necessary to build human capacity, to upgrade, update, and develop members’ professional skills on basic concepts, latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the bourgeoning tourism industry in Nigeria. His words: “The goal is to help members build a successful career in tourism and hospitality sector. I make bold to say that 90 percent of players in the tourism industry today especially in Nigeria, in this context, Lagos State, has no background knowledge in tourism and hospitality.

“Majority of the players are not certificated as practitioners. This is also the same phenomenon that describes those formulating policies and regulations that give direction to the industry’s growth and development. It is the paradox we find ourselves in Nigeria today. The tourism industry is the most undermined and underrated sector in Nigeria unlike other climes. It is the only industry that is not regarded as purely professional sector by the authorities. In the eye of the authorities anybody, regardless of his/her background knowledge or training can be appointed as head of tourism agency or ministry. It is only in Nigeria that government can appoint a medical doctor to head Tourism Ministry or agency. But no government dare appoints an accountant to head a health services agency or Ministry! ITPN is conscious of this unfortunate paradox which has become an albatross to the development of the tourism industry in Nigeria. Hence the implicit objective of the mandatory Continuous Professional Development (CPD) workshop is not only to impact knowledge and upscale skills of its members but to build and nurture leaders of tomorrow who in no distant future will assume leadership roles in the tourism industry.”

Speaking further, Mesewaku said learning was not just about acquiring academic knowledge or mastering a specific skill,but understanding trends, customer behaviors, environmental impact, and the cultural nuances of different regions. “Learning, for ITPN means staying current with the latest technologies—whether it’s booking platforms, virtual reality experiences, or sustainable travel solutions.”, he said.

On the concept of relearning, the ITPN Lagos chairman explained: “The concept of relearning—is a concept that emphasizes the cyclical nature of growth. Relearning means taking what we have unlearned, combining it with new insights, and adopting more effective ways to move forward. Relearning is about adaptation and invention.For instance, as technology advances, we’ve seen the rise of digital platforms that fundamentally change how travelers plan and experience their trips. From virtual tours to artificial intelligence-powered customer service, the future of tourism is deeply intertwined with tech innovation. The message here to those of us who may have once resisted or struggled with technology (i.e. being computer literate) is to encourage you to relearn—to embrace these tools as integral parts of how we connect, interface and interact with clients/customers, enhance their experiences, and our individual efficiency. Tech and digitalization is key in today’s tourism business.”

He concluded by that the tourism industry, like many others, thrives on the delicate balance of learning, unlearning, and relearning, and that members must learn continuously to stay ahead of trends and expectations, unlearn practices that no longer serve, and relearn in ways that ensure our industry’s sustainability, resilience, and relevance.