Nigeria’s drive to expand domestic tourism and strengthen professional standards in the tourism industry received a boost on Wednesday with the unveiling of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) National Secretariat in Lagos.
Speaking at the official unveiling of the headquarters, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Oloruntoyin Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, said the facility would strengthen the institutional framework of the tourism sector and deepen collaboration among stakeholders.
She said the headquarters would serve as a hub for promoting domestic and community tourism through a wide range of tourism and hospitality offerings.
“It’s going to help promote domestic tourism and community tourism a lot. From what I have seen here, there are several sections and different things you can do. There’s a massage centre, a culinary section and many other attractions. It has so many things wrapped into one, and it’s beautifully done,” the Permanent Secretary stated.
According to her, increased patronage of the facility will further promote domestic tourism as visitors share their experiences and encourage others to visit.
NATOP President, Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha, described the new National Headquarters as a landmark achievement for the association and a significant step towards professionalising Nigeria’s tour operations sector.
She explained that the headquarters would provide the association with a permanent and visible base where members can work, collaborate and access professional support.
“The essence of having a headquarters is to make NATOP visible so people know where to locate us. It will serve as a workstation for members and strengthen our operations.
“When NATOP is visible, unprofessional operators will have no choice but to align with best practices. NATOP is strictly for professional tour operators. You cannot become a tour operator overnight. We are positioning ourselves to train and develop professionals in the industry,” the NATOP President said.
The inauguration comes ahead of NATOP’s 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and underscores the association’s commitment to building a stronger, more visible and professionally coordinated tourism sector capable of contributing more significantly to Nigeria’s economic development.
The event attracted key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including the immediate past President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung; renowned travel consultant and tourism development expert, Mr. Ikechi Uko; tourism investors; tour operators; travel professionals; and industry partners.
The unveiling marks a major milestone in NATOP’s history, providing the association with a permanent national base to coordinate its activities, strengthen advocacy, foster partnerships and drive the sustainable development of Nigeria’s tourism industry.
