Expert Calls For Inclusion Of Stakeholders In Kaduna Tourism Activities

An expert in the hospitality and tourism sector, Tobi Bernard Thomas has called on the Kaduna state government to ensure that stakeholders are included in the composition of a tourism board if there is any, or about to be established.

Thomas said, a tangible collaboration between the state and critical stakeholders like the FTAN, and others will promote and market the state as a tourist destination.

While addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the expert noted that Kaduna state is blessed with abundant tourism centres which they are left untapped, hence the need to incorporate stakeholders in the process of developing and implementing strategies that will attract both domestic and international tourists.

Thomas opined that to boost the tourism sector in the state, the government should adopt a method that is capable of operating tour services within and outside the state through the establishment of KADA Airline, a state carrier.

He said with the adoption of the aforementioned, it would help to increase the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

Thomas who is the Kaduna state Coordinator of The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) said: “I am available to serve in all capacity to ensuring that Kaduna state becomes centre of global tourism destination site.”

“It becomes imperative to put the reality on ground into consideration, and for the state to see how to generate revenue from the non-oil products. If the sector should be given proper consideration, it would no doubt foster economic growth and development of other sectors.”

“For the state to have a Unique Selling Proportion (USP) on any planned programme in the state for tourism, there is  need for the inclusion of stakeholders,” he emphasized.

The expert also suggested that the state should have a body like Kaduna Tourism Development Corporation, (KTDC) that would coordinate tourism activities in the state.