By Ginika Okoye
The Federal Government says it has generated 300 per cent above its expected revenue in the hospitality and tourism sector.
Mr Abisoye Fagade, the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), in Abuja, said that the sector recorded the growth in the last one year.
Fagade said this at an event organised by Style De Vie, a private sector company that specialised in fostering cultural and economic ties between African countries.
He said the sector was currently the highest in terms of employment generation aside from agriculture.
According to him, this institute is not just about generating money but is creating service, putting value and creating an enabling platform for businesses in the sector to thrive.
Fagade called for more investment in the sector for more growth and development in the country.
“The body language of our government is changing to tourism, the agenda is focusing more on tourism as a sustainable replacement for oil.
“Tourism in Nigeria is a social bitcoin, if you do not catch up on time now, you will regret that later,” he said.
The Creative Director of Style De Vie, Mrs Rebecca Tabe, said the event was to boost investment partnership among African nations.
Tabe added that the event was organised to bring different investors, country representatives and owners of businesses together to create business platforms and investment opportunities across the African continent.
She called on Nigerians in the diaspora to come and invest in the country and continent for sustainable growth of Africa.
“We noticed my Nigerian brothers love to invest outside Nigeria.
“This is a platform to encourage not to take their monies to Europe. They should bring their money into Africa.
“I know sometimes they are even scared to do business here, but this event is just trying to let them know that there are honest and credible people in this country,” she said.
The Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohsen Antit, said the event was an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas and harmonise the different peculiarities between African countries especially in the field of trade and economy.
Antit said the programme would enhance cultural and tourism relations between African countries.
He called for more collaboration between Tunisia and Nigeria in various sectors, including agriculture, trade and tourism. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
