THE Federal Government on Friday in Madrid, signed two agreements with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) on the development of tourism sector in Nigeria.

At a ceremony, which took place at the headquarters of UNWTO, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed signed on behalf of the country while the Secretary-General of the Organisation, Mr Zubab Pololikashvili signed for the UN body.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the first agreement was for the hosting right won by Nigeria to host the 61st meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa.

The meeting of the African Ministers of Tourism and global tourism players with the theme “Tourism Statistics, a Catalyst for Development” is scheduled for June 4 to June 6 in Abuja.

The second was a Cooperation Agreement between UNWTO and the Nigeria Tourism Development Cooperation for the Strenghtening of the National Tourism Statistical System of Nigeria and the Development of a Tourism Satellite Account.

Speaking at the event, the Minister commended the UNWTO for its supports to the development of the nation’s tourism sector.

He specifically thanked Pololikashvili and the organisation for the “enthusiastic supports” received in making sure that the hosting of UNWTO CAF is a success.

The Minister said that the event would not just be about the government but would enable Nigeria to leverage on it for its  private sector, the creative industry and celebrities.

“We are looking at tourism industry and the strategic roles it can play in the economy.

“The topic we have chosen is not just about tourism but for national planning, economy, security and many more and that is why I am so excited today.

“From this meeting a lot of suggestions have come up from the UNWTO and the organisation has proved itself as a catalyst to allow member states to build their tourism sector,” he said.

The Minister said that one of the major advantages of the CAF meeting was that it would put Nigeria on global platform.

He said the meeting would make the world “to know what is available in terms of her sound sight culture and creative industry”.

He noted that Nigeria had everything that could make it tourism destination in Africa and the current administration was working hard on tourism infrastructure.

“Today, there is no gain saying the fact that we have taken the world by storm in the music, films, and theatre.

“When we now have a gathering of all African ministers and global stakeholders in the tourism sector in the country, it will be a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate Nigeria.

“Nigeria is a country of music, stories, monuments and happy people, all we just need is to harness all these potentials,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the UNWTO Secretary-General said that Nigeria had all it takes to be the flagship of tourism in Africa.

He said the UNWTO would work with Nigeria to improve and develop its tourism sector and create its new tourism destinations.

He commended the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for its commitment to developing the nation’s tourism sector.

“We are aware that the  government is fully in support of developing its tourism sector and we have concrete implementation plans that we will put on top of our agenda to support this.

“The role we want to play is to see how Nigeria will be a leading example in the whole of African continent

“I strongly believe that Nigeria has the opportunity, the potentials and what it takes, looking at it from culture, music, film production, nature, hotel and infrastructure,” he said.

Pololikashvili, said the UNWTO would work out Bilateral Air Services Agreement for flights from Spain to Nigeria to boost the nation’s tourism and trade.

“I have already talked with the IBERIA Airline and Air Europa, which are the strong airline companies in Spain, if we can have direct flight from Nigeria to Spain.

“This will bring about a lot of opportunities because it will offer a lot of markets for Nigeria in Spain, Europe and South America which is very close to Spain,” he said.

NAN reports that before the signing ceremony, Mrs Susan Folarin, the Nigeria Ambassador to Spain and UNWTO, presented her credentials to the Organisation’s Secretary-General. (NAN)

– Feb.  16, 2018 @ 18:55 GMT |