The Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) has promised to redefine its approach, through seamless collaborations with government at all levels and tourism stakeholders, to upscale the industry in 2023.
Its National President, Mr Nkereuwem Onung, in his Christmas message to tourism stakeholders on Saturday, said the concept was necessary.
Onung in a statement, said this was to strategically harmonise and project the tourism industry for better engagement among stakeholders in the public and private sectors.
He said right advocacy that would touch a broad spectrum of industry issues for a better understanding and engagement would be the focus of FTAN for 2023.
“We have all worked assiduously through our individual effort and support in 2022 to not only position the federation, but also proudly bring a new team spirit to the way things are done in FTAN.
“Going forward, we will continue to devise new ways that will engender mutual membership engagement and business collaborations that will promote unity among the diverse membership trend under the federation.
“ In addition, we are going to consolidate on the FTAN’s TRIAC Mandate to draw a seamless engagement with government and work out a win-win approach towards harmonising and achieving different sustainable tourism goal for a public-private partnership bid,” he said.
Onung noted that in spite of the frictions the association witnessed in 2022 in actualising its vision for the year, plans were on top gear to ensure the industry made remarkable growth in 2023.
He congratulated everyone in all the zones and members of all association under FTAN for the understanding, support, solidarity and innovation during the challenges faced and conquered in 2022.
He said the federation would continue to reinvent new ways for membership engagement through right and timely planning to put the tourism industry on the right perspective for economic gains.
“ The year 2022 came with some friction that destabilised some good plans, but we have been able to weather the storm through our practical approach and genuine programmes and events accomplished across the six zones.
FTAN has designated Vice presidents and State coordinators in the zones.
“Together we are all champions of the Nigeria tourism industry because of our positive approaches throughout the year.
“ No doubt, we have made a landmark achievement and we will continue to do more for members’ plights to be heard and be taken care of,” he said.
According to him, the association will not focus on unnecessary pitfalls that will draw the federation backward as there are more things to be done and to be achieved.
He, however, said that the association would focus more on investing time and energy on things that would spur progress rather than things that would tear the industry apart.
“There are more to gain from speaking with one voice, as our mission and mandate is targeted at bringing a new dawn to the Nigerian tourism industry.
“We once more thank every association and members of associations under FTAN as well as every other stakeholders in the tourism industry and subsector for their support.”