Speaking Thursday at the launch of official Tourism Identity for the country, FASCINATING NIGERIA at the State House, Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan said, “the 2013 Economic Impact Report of the World Travel and Tourism Council puts the total contribution of Travel and Tourism to global GDP in 2012, at over six billion US dollars” and creates over 200 million number of jobs which represents 8.7 percent globally.
President Jonathan, who was represented by the Vice President, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo, said the same report includes very encouraging statistics on the Nigerian tourism industry as it contributed three percent to the GDP and 2.6 percent of total employment and 5.4 percent of gross total investment in 2012.
He said, “Our determination to transform this sector for the benefit of the present and future generations of our people will be underscored by fostering investments and supporting the provision of comprehensive infrastructure, as well as institutional support for projects and activities that will enhance the rise of sustainable development in the tourism sector.”
In order to further enhance the sector, Jonathan directed the Ministry of Trade and Investment to work with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation in developing sector-specific mechanisms that will stimulate and sustain investments in the sector.
He also pledged to develop the National Theatre in Lagos as a duty-free entertainment centre and encouraged greater collaboration with the private sector in upgrading other cultural centres in the short and medium term basis. He said government is committed to complete the National Cultural Centre, Abuja also known as ‘The Millennium Towers, which has been under construction for sometime now.
To emphasize the importance of tourism industry, Jonathan noted that his administration is working to enhance the budget of the Ministry of Culture and National Orientation as well as identified 100 heritage sites across the country, for restoration, activation and promotion. He stressed that beside the employment opportunities it will create, the sites will raise the Nigeria ’s profile in the international arena. He optimistic that the ‘Fascinating Nigeria’ brand will help globally, to proclaim a new and exciting phase in the country’s tourism transformation.
Earlier, the Minister of Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, said the tourism brand about to be launched would positively place Nigeria on the global tourism stage. He said the country and tourism sector has become a leading light in the continent of Africa and in African Diaspora, noting that Nigeria has opened the door for itself through its creative industry and has conquered the worlds and minds and it is important to aggregate the talents that duel in the country in the interest of Nigeria ’s image. He said Culture as enterprise and tourism is one of the biggest economic sectors in the world and it is time to open a new glorious page for the country in the tourism sector.
In his remark, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, said what makes the country so fascinating is its artists, movies and that his Cross River State believe in culture and tourism. He said the state has invested in the sector to make it and the country a fascinating destination.
Mfon Udott
For: SSA (Media and Publicity) to the Vice President*
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