The President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, has applauded the contributions of members of the Association of Tourism and Hospitality Consultants in Nigeria (ATHCON), saying it is necessary for the growth and development of tourism and hospitality industry in the country.

Odusanwo said this in a special message to the association during its recently held annual conference and induction of new members in Lagos.  

The ITPN President said Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sector stands at a critical crossroads, that with the immense natural and cultural wealth, the country still faces persistent challenges in policy implementation, destination management, and service standardization. This, he said, has made the role of the professional consultants a necessity rather than a luxury.

He spoke further: “ATHCON has consistently demonstrated that consultants are the catalysts who bridge the gap between government vision and on-ground reality. You provide the technical audits, feasibility studies, strategic plans, and capacity-building frameworks that turn potential into performance. As the President of ITPN—the mother body that sets professional standards for all tourism practitioners in Nigeria—I affirm that your work is central to our shared mandate: to professionalize the industry and elevate Nigerian tourism to global competitiveness.”

He explained that the ITPN and ATHCON are partners in progress and are not competitors. His words: “We are partners on the same journey. While ITPN focuses on the certification, ethics, and continuing professional development of individual tourism practitioners across all sub-sectors, ATHCON specializes in the advisory and consultancy backbone that guides enterprises and governments. Our relationship must be symbiotic.

“I therefore renew the commitment of ITPN to deepen collaboration with ATHCON in areas such as: Joint development of consultancy practice guidelines; mutual recognition of continuing professional development (CPD) programmes; collaborative research and policy advocacy to relevant ministries and agencies.”

He said a  united front of professionals and consultants would speak with a louder voice when demand are made for better infrastructure, access to finance, and a national tourism policy that works.

The ITPN President told the newly inducted members that  they did not simply joined an association, but have  accepted a covenant of excellence, integrity, and service  to their clients whether government, hotels, tour operators, or investors. He also charged them to continuously learn, update their skills in digital marketing, sustainability, and crisis management, and also uphold the ethics of the profession.