WTD: FG committed to foster peace through tourism – Minister
The Minister of Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade-John, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace, fostering understanding and driving economic development through tourism.
Ade-John stated this at an event organised to mark 2024 World Tourism Day with the theme, ‘Tourism and Peace’ on Friday in Abuja.
Ade-John highlighted the vital role of tourism in advancing national and global peace efforts, inline with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for national prosperity.
According to her, tourism is a powerful tool for fostering peace, breaking down barriers, and promoting understanding between diverse cultures.
“It is important that we practice tourism responsibly, honouring local cultures, protecting the environment, and promoting inclusivity.”
The minister said that tourism often perceived as a mere economic activity, creates jobs and showcases the beauty of our landscapes and cultures.
” The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) projects that Nigeria’s Travel and Tourism sector will create 2.6 million new jobs over the next decade, reaching over 5.1 million by 2032.
” Travel and Tourism will grow at an average rate of 5.4% between 2022-2032 outpacing the overall economy.
” The industry will contribute nearly N12.3 trillion to GDP by 2032, representing 4.9 percent of the total economy In 2023, Nigeria welcomed over 1.3 million international visitors, a 15 percent increase from the previous year.
” Each interaction between visitor and host is a microcosm of diplomacy, dissolving prejudices and building relationships.While these figures are major, tourism has other roles to play in society,” she said.
She said that both government and the private sectors could also play their roles, by contributing to peace and stability in Nigeria by supporting peace building initiatives and intercultural dialogue.
“As travellers, advocates, and stewards of the tourism industry, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that each step we take contributes to a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable world.
“Let us travel not just to see the world, but to change it as proud Nigerians, one peaceful interaction at a time,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism Secretary-General, said the World Tourism Day has expanded the planet ravaged by war and insecurity.
According to him, the global tourism family is broad and diverse, but what unites the world is the shared humanity.
“Tourism brings the world together and closer. Tourism builds trust and respect, as well as laying the foundations for cooperation.
“It drives inclusive growth and prosperity, the surest safeguards against conflict and we need these values now more than ever, ” he said.
Sen. Anthony Ani, Chairman, Senate Committee on Tourism, said tourism could help to reduce tensions and nurture peace coexistence.
Ani said tourism could also be an avenue to promote economic interdependence between neighbouring countries by encouraging cooperation and peaceful development.
According to him, tourism incorporate many aspects including accommodation, transport, attraction s, travel companies among others.
” It comprises a broad group of business focused on satisfaction of customers and providing specific experience for them. “
The senator said that tourism had offered great opportunities for emerging economic and developing countries by creating jobs.
He said that it also strengthens the local economy, as well as contributing to infrastructure development.
” Tourism can help to conserve the natural environment, cultural assets, traditions to reduce poverty, equality and heal the wounds of conflicts.
” Tourism impact goes beyond the economic benefits and it is worthwhile to look at tourism as a social force as opposed to an industry, which we can use to establish a culture of peace,” he added.
The high point of the event was a cultural performance by Gwape international cultural troupe in Nigeria.
