NIGERIA: Federation of Tourism Association Of Nigeria Promises To Upgrade Hotel Standards

The Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) on Wednesday pledged to improve tourism packages and upgrade hotel standards in the country to woo local and foreign investors.

Mr Samuel Alabi, the Chairman FTAN Board of trustees, who said this at the South West stakeholders forum held in Lagos, urged members to improve on standard and repackage the nation’s tourism products.

“The industry is huge in terms of endowment but ability to utilise the opportunity in it is the challenge.

“With the commitment of stakeholders and professionals in the industry, the sector will gain its recognitions and position as it is, in the global market,” he said.

Alabi said that the forum was to educate and sensitise members on the latest trend in the tourism and hospitality industry.

“There are lots of global development in the sector, therefore, there is need to educate members to follow the trends,” he said.

The chairman said that the association have registered over 2,000 members since inception.

He said that some of the association members included hotel operators, tourism practitioners, tourism products developers and event planners.

Speaking at the forum, Mr Ayo Olumoko, Chairman, Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE), urged members to promote Nigeria tourism destinations and global tourism supportive products.

He also educated members on the comparative advantage in the industry that could be used to solve the tourism development challenges.

“The main purpose of this forum is to strengthen the relationship between tourism investors, industry practitioners and products/service providers.

“Also, it is to identify the prospects and challenges facing the industry and proffer lasting solutions to them” he said.

Olumoko said that NTIFE would assist in achieving these global tourism developments and help government to diversify from oil to tourism sector for revenue.

Earlier, Mr Biodun Odusanwo, the Zonal Vice President, FTAN southwest, said that tourism and hospitality industry was a most effective tool for removing poverty in Nigeria.

He said that the investment opportunities in the industry are enormous and capable of generating employment in the country.

Odusanwo said that the sector was capable of employing over 200 million people and transporting nearly 700 million travellers per year.