This year’s World Tourism Day, scheduled to hold on the 27th of September will focus on Nigerian waterways and its tourism potential.
The Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, FTAN said it was time for Nigerians to focus on Lagos state to explore the yet-to-be-tapped potentials in its aquatic environment.
According to the National President of FTAN, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, these untapped potentials can generate revenue for the state and Nigeria as a whole and also create job opportunities for Nigerian youths.
“It is time to show the world the business of tourism, we want to assess the water economy in Lagos State; we want people to see that lots of revenue can be generated on the waterways through tourism,” Onung said.
“FTAN in the next one year will be committed to promoting aquatic tourism in the state and ensuring that jobs are created through the sector. We are looking at how government can look into that aspect of the economy, invest more, make the waterways safe and neat for all and a lot of revenue can be generated there,” he said.
Tourism as Business
The theme for this year’s World Tourism Day is ‘Rethink Tourism.’ Mr. Onung said it was time for the government and the private sector to channel a cause and promote the business of aquatic tourism.
“We have right to express ourselves and create benchmarks that will help us see the improvement in the sector,” he said.
Beach Boat trips
The President of the 2022 World Tourism Day Planning Committee and also the, Managing Director, Association of Tourists Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria, ATBOWATON, Mr. Gani Balogun, said Tourists would have opportunity to experience boat rides at the Takwa Bay Beach, which was chosen due to the minimal water waves and the neatness of the water.
The Nigerian Navy and the Marine Police are involved with the FTAN to host the biggest boat cruise in Nigeria.
“We can also have boat cruises like those experienced in Florida and some other developed nations because we have all it takes, this is what we want to show to the world on Sept. 27, during the world tourism day,” Balogun said.
He urged Nigerians to make it a date to get educated on how revenue could be generated on the waterways, as experts would be engaged to talk briefly on the business aspect.
He was speaking at a press conference in Lagos, ahead of the world tourism Day.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
