Renowned travel expert Ikechi Uko, organiser of Akwaaba Travel Market, urges governments to actively support initiatives stimulating tourism in Nigeria.
He spoke at the Nigerian South African Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, sponsored by Philips Consulting. Uko proposes three ways to rethink tourism: stop doing uniformed things, start doing smart things, and plan for the future.
Critiquing the government’s refusal to fund tourism-related events, Uko urges Nigeria to shadow the successes of Kenya and South Africa.
Acknowledging Nigeria as a giant in outbound tourism, Uko stresses addressing challenges in the inbound category. He underscores supporting globally recognized events like Afro Nation, Detty December, AFRIMA, and Experience.
“Nigeria is a global giant in outbound travel, spending over $1.5b on tickets and $2b on medical tourism. It is a dwarf in inbound and domestic tourism. This has to change,” says Uko, highlighting the government’s historical neglect of private efforts to grow domestic tourism.
He further proposed leveraging religious tourism through well known events like Osun Osogbo festival and Synagogue of Church All Nations. Uko also advocates promoting cultural events: Eyo Festival, New Yam Festival, Bini Igue Festival, Argungu Fish Festival, and others.
In conclusion, Uko emphasises the need to appoint the right people to lead the industry for positive changes tourism.
