Stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE), the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Travel Marketing Partner (Nigeria) Limited and other organisations have intensified preparations for the forthcoming National Tourism Safety and Security Technology Conference and Trade Show.
The conference, aimed at strengthening safety, security and resilience within Nigeria’s tourism ecosystem through technology, policy dialogue and stakeholder collaboration, is scheduled to hold from July 6 to 7, 2026, at the Army Headquarters Command Event Centre, Asokoro, Abuja.
The Chief Executive Officer of Travel Marketing Partner, Mr Shola Ilupeju, said the conference had attracted support from allied sectors, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as the military and other security agencies.
He said the event, themed “Safe and Secure Destination: Key to Sustainable Tourism Development”, is designed to provide a national platform for discussing tourism safety and security challenges.
According to him, the conference will also showcase modern security and safety technologies relevant to tourism destinations, promote inter-agency collaboration among MDAs, security institutions and the private sector, and support government efforts to position Nigeria as a safe and attractive tourism destination.
Ilupeju said the two-day event would also feature the Safe Destination Award 2026.
Explaining the significance of the award, he said, “It is designed as a prestigious benchmark for security excellence within the Nigerian tourism landscape.”
He added that the initiative is a flagship recognition framework established under the National Safe and Secure Travel Experience (NASTREX) initiative.
“It is designed to evaluate, validate, and celebrate destinations, hospitality hubs, and local jurisdictions within Nigeria that demonstrate exceptional commitment to travellers’ safety and institutional security,” he stressed.
Highlighting its broader impact, Ilupeju said, “The Safe Destination Award is more than a trophy; it is a strategic tool for nation-branding.”
He further explained that, “By highlighting the pockets of excellence across the country—from the serene heights of Obudu to the bustling business districts of Lagos and Abuja—the award counteracts negative narratives and replaces generalised travel advisories with specific, verified accounts of safety.”
The tourism expert further stated that the initiative would empower local governance and encourage healthy competition among state governments to strengthen the security of tourism assets.
Ilupeju disclosed that the NASTREX initiative, endorsed by the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), is designed to serve as a benchmark for safety and security standards within Nigeria’s tourism industry.
