Entertainment
THE National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has commended the progressive and global marketing profile advanced by the National Council for Arts and Culture NCAC in organising the 33rd National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST).
The President of NANTA, Mrs Susan Akporiaye, who gave the commendation in a statement on Monday in Lagos, said NCAC’s efforts in hosting the annual festival and generally facilitating Nigeria’s cultural products was quite laudable.
Akporiaye said that NCAC under the leadership of Segun Runsewe had proven beyond doubt that Nigeria had all it takes to welcome visitors.
She noted that above all, Nigeria was capable of putting together cultural tourism events that could compete favourably with others all over the world.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 33rd edition of NAFEST, was held in Jos from Nov. 22 to Nov. 28, 2020, with the theme “COVID-19 and Cultural Dynamism”.
“It is very exciting and heartwarming to see how our culture, tourism products, cuisines, fashion and history are carefully articulated and presented.
“Otunba Segun Runsewe has given us hope and provided us tourism products to market and promote, and we at NANTA have noted this intervention and invitation to support, create jobs and empower our members,” she said.
Akporiaye noted that time had come for tourism, culture and hospitality practitioners to take advantage of the various festivals and cultural platforms packaged by NCAC.
She said this was not only to attract both local and international visitors but create additional streams of job openings and income.
“We can’t pretend that government is not doing anything to help us, under NCAC, we have veritable cultural tourism products in NAFEST and International Arts and Culture Expo (INAC).
“So we must put on our thinking caps, get out of our state of self pity and do the right thing,” she said.
The NANTA president promised to mobilise the more than 15,000-member strong association to brace for the refreshing development in view of the new normal challenge which has cut down on international travels.
“NANTA is pleased with what Otunba Segun Runsewe is doing at NCAC and will work with him to create a sustainable tour package.
“And at the same time, work out new normal marketing opportunities with state governments to power rural cultural tourism economy to the advantage of women and youths.
“Jos is certainly beautiful and the many stories of insecurity exaggerated, we at NANTA have a role to play to be part of efforts to rebrand Nigeria as a destination.
“The city of Jos is very pleasant, temperate and the hospitality industry thriving and promising, the time has come for us to find the connection and we are glad Runsewe has shown us the way,” she said.
NAN
– Nov. 30, 2020 @ 09:47 GMT /
Tags: NAFEST 2020: NANTA President commends NCAC pledges support for Plateau tourism
