Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) has honoured the Directors General (DG) of the National Council for Art and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, his counterparts at the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Nura Sani Kangiwa and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Chief Folorunsho Coker, with distinct tourism awards.
Nura Kangiwa, the DG of the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism was honoured with the Tourism, Hospitality Award of Excellence for his role in redefining excellence in tourism and hospitality training in Nigeria, Otunba Runsewe on his part was honoured with the Pioneer Award for Promoting Culture and Tourism on Nigeria, just as Folorunsho Coker bagged the Outstanding Tourism Personality of the Year award.
However, while Kangiwa was physically present to receive his prize, his two counterparts sent representatives to the event which held inside the Bimbo Owolabi Hall of the Afe Babalola University in Ado Ekiti, Friday.
Other recipients of the award by NATOP were; Mr. Ikechi Uko, a Board of Trustees (BOT) Member of the association; Mr. Gab Onah, former Cross River State Tourism chief, Aare Afe Babalola, Founder of the Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti; Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, CEO of La Campagn Tropicana.
The award presentation formed highlight of the event which also features an Annual General Meeting (AGM), the 7th edition, a seminar and conference at the venue.
Receiving his award, Runsewe assured of his resolve to continue to work hard at moving the industry forward.
Kangiwa lauded the pivotal roles by NATOP in the evolution of Nigeria as an emerging domestic and inbound Africa tourism destination.
Kangiwa stated that the theme of this 2023 NATOP Annual General Meeting, which is: “Tourism and Green Investment in Nigeria”, validates NATOP’s foresightedness in championing the development of tourism business in Nigeria.
He observed that it is understandable that NATOP’s 2023 AGM theme is in-line with the UNWTO World Tourism Day 2023 theme to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, from 26th to 28th September with the theme: “Tourism and Green Investments, Investing in People, Planet and Prosperity”.
According to him, the UNWTO, in choosing this year’s theme, clarified that “the UNWTO has identified investments as one of the key priorities for tourism’s recovery and future growth and development.”
He said for World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for people, for planet and for prosperity.
“Now is the time for new and innovative solutions, not just traditional investments that promote and underpin economic growth and productivity.”
Kangiwa explained that as the Director General of NIHOTOUR, the leaderships of both NATOP and the UNWTO couldn’t have chosen a more pragmatic and germane theme relevant for Nigerian tourism and the global tourism industry.
He added that in essence, the tourism industry, both in principle and practice is pro-people, and easily leads to inclusive economic growth for practitioners and host communities, if investments are strategically thought-through.
Coker who was represented by Rev. Ebenezer Adesoke, a director at the agency said on their part, NTDA will continue their support through the provision of cutting-edge technology, machine learning and use of artificial intelligence to help bolster Small and Medium Scale Enterprises which majority of NATOP members represent.
He said NTDA has partnered with Google-on-Google Street view project, a tool that will be indispensable for the tour operators.
“Tour operation is a serious professional business that should be guarded and protected jealously,” Coker said.
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