Kayode Calls for PPP in Tourism Development

Mr Adetokunbo Kayode, minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, has said that public-private sector partnership is the catalyst needed to develop the nation’s tourism sector.

Kayode spoke at the media lunch of Nigeria Tourism Expo 2008 (NITEX`08), entitled: “Unbelievable Nigeria,’’ that the private sector has key role to play in the industry..

Kayode, said that such development would enhance the influx of foreign tourists and Nigerians in the diaspora to the country.

According to him, Nigeria is blessed with tourism potentials such as the diversified cultural heritage, monuments, sand beaches and slave trade relics.

He explained that harnessing the potentials would boost wealth creation, revenue generation and poverty reduction.

`Tourism gives multiplier effect opportunities to the growth of the economy,’’ he said.

He said that the promotion and marketing of the nation’s tourism would be sustained to ensure that Nigeria was identified as a tourism destination in Africa .

According to the minister, the problems faced by the sector include poor road linkages to tourism sites and transportation and that the ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Works and Transport to solve the problems.

Mr Edem Duke, initiator of the NITEX`08 said that some artists, fashion designers and tour operators would soon exhibit their products in London , Atlanta , Georgia and Barbados .

Duke said that the aim was to promote and project the nation’s tourism to the international community and convinces them that Nigeria was safe, secured and tourist friendly.