The stakeholders in the Tourism Industry have charged Nigerian youths to take advantage of the opportunities created by the outbreak of the COVID-19 to establish viable businesses.
This charge was given at the World Tourism Day celebration in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, South-South Nigeria.
The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Folorunsho Coker said the theme for this year is “Tourism for Inclusive Growth.”
He said this year celebration would provide an opportunity to look beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coker who was represented by the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Ntiense Olaoye, said, “The theme for this year’s celebration provides an opportunity to look beyond the pandemic to the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG.
“It emphasises the importance of the SGD on tourism, which is to leave no one behind. Tourism has created opportunities for many women and young people. In fact, the industry is dominated by women and children; it has also created opportunities for people with low or no skills.
“The essence here is for our youths, rather than wait for government to provide jobs, focus on ways to benefit from the tourism sector especially through the use of technology to provide entertainment, hospitality and more,” he stressed.
On his part, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Eric Iso stated that although the industry suffered economic setbacks at the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, stakeholders were committed to move the sector forward.
Iso, who is a maestro of the Entertainment industry, noted that the Cross River State Government has taken proactive steps to alleviate the hardship of operators in the sector.
According to him, Governor Ben Ayade, through his tax exemption policy, has provided leverage for operators in the sector especially for those, who own 50 rooms and below. He extended his tax exemption policies to include others in the transport sector, food vendors and restaurants owners.
“Besides, people do not really need that much capital to benefit from the sector. ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’ simply means operators can collaborate to provide tourists, visitors and guests a worthwhile experience. For instance, a hotelier can collaborate with entertainers to hold happy hour for lodgers, another sells arts and crafts – like a chain service,” the Commissioner explained.
He urged youths interested in entertainment, arts and craft, cultural displays and other related areas to critically explore opportunities during events to generate personal income rather than engage in criminal activities.
The Chairman of Cross River State Hoteliers Association, Charles Ogar noted that for a state naturally endowed with hospitality, delicious cuisines, rich cultural heritage, tourism is synonymous with the people.
Ogar urged the youths to view the hospitality as an income earning opportunity.
He said, “When I drive along Marian road at nights, I feel happy seeing young people engaging in several businesses – selling food, drinks, singing and holding one show or the other. It means they are actively benefitting from this sector.
“Many young people are versed in internet usage. I encourage them to create apps that would provide certain services or download apps, which could give them access to a wider range of people,” he stated.
Ogar advised the “government to nurture what we have. It is not only the government, as a people we have the responsibility to nurture the Cross River tourism brand. Youths should look for the low hanging fruits that abound in the sector, shun vices and use the state tourism brand to the full.”
The celebration, which featured different cultural displays, arts and craft and food exhibition, was rounded off with a panel discussion on the tourism opportunities available to young Nigerians.