The Nigerian government says plans are underway to reposition Transport and Tourism sectors to sustain economic growth.
The Minister of Aviation Mr. Hadi Sirika stated this at the opening ceremony of the third edition of the Annual National Tourism And Transportation Summit And Expo(NTTS) at the National Conference Centre in Abuja.
Mr. Sirika also stated that “Nigeria is prioritizing reviving and revamping the National carrier, through which jobs will be created and economic opportunities opened”.
He stated that all sectors of the economy must come together to ensure the growth of the Transportation and Tourism sector as it is a major source of income.
He held that there must continue to be synergy and collaboration within these industries.
Also speaking at the event, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, Chairman Governing Council, Institute for Tourism Professionals, ITP, said ‘’there’s a cross array of sectors coming together to spur the economy using tourism and transportation. The Industry, post-COVID-19 has changed, therefore this year’s edition of the summit is very crucial. ‘’’
Voice of Nigeria reports that the Nigerian Institute of Hospitality and Tourism, Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NCAT) are some of the headline members of this third edition of the summit.
Similarly, the Minister of State for the FCT, Ramatu Tijani Aliyu said “It’s transportation that drives destination branding, the FCT is set up as a tourism destination and therefore will align with the transportation sector to brand the city of Abuja’’.
She also noted that it was of utmost importance for a city to have the most efficient transportation services.
In the same vein, the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu noted that “Transportation is an integral hub of any society’’.
Mr. Okechukwu added that the Summit was “apt and timely coming on the heels of the present administration’s strive for excellence in the Tourism and Transportation sector”.
He noted that these two factors when properly harnessed will boost and revamp Nigeria’s economy, even as the world trudges past the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic.
The theme for this year’s summit is ‘’Repositioning tourism and transportation connectivity and mobility to revitalize the economy’’
The focus of the NTT summit and expo is to bridge divides and ensure efficient connectivity and mobility to boost the economy. The Summit also deliberates on the complex relationship between transport provision and tourism in boosting national economy.
The event was declared open by the Secretary to the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha and attended by stakeholders in the transportation and tourism sector.
Nnenna.O
