With improved security and economy, Nigeria is safe for tourism.
This is the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja.
Buhari made the declaration while receiving the Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the UN tourism chief is in Abuja for the 61st UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) conference.
According to him, it would have been inconceivable to host an international tourism conference in Abuja four years ago, because of the state of insecurity.
His words: ‘‘I am pleased that the country is now sufficiently safe and secure, and the message should go out to the world for all tourists and business travellers. The first thing tourists look out for is security and I am happy we have it now.
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‘‘Minister Lai Mohammed has been trying to convince the world that Nigeria is safe and has great potentials for tourism and investment. I am glad that you and your team have come here to see things for yourself.’’
Highlighting the nexus between tourism and sustainable development, the president said Nigeria would not be left behind in ensuring that communities and businesses benefit from tourism development.
In his remarks, Pololikashvili commended Nigeria for the successful hosting of the conference which brings together African Ministers of Tourism, principal executives of the global tourism body and other stakeholders in the tourism sector.
The UN tourism chief said Nigeria had huge potential to develop the tourism sector considering its large economy.
‘‘We can do it in Nigeria, we can create, convert Nigeria to the main tourist destination in Africa. There is a huge potential here. Culture, nature, food you have everything here.
‘‘You are investing in agriculture, improving seamless travel through visa-on-arrival programme, reforming the economy and doing so much on security. Nigeria is safe,’’ Pololikashvili said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said 166 delegates, including 26 tourism ministers from Africa are attending the UN tourism conference, holding from June 4 to June 6 in Abuja.
