Home Hospitality & Tourism Lagos reaffirms commitment to tourism growth

Lagos reaffirms commitment to tourism growth

Sanwo-Olu - lagospost.ng
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The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has reaffirmed the current administration’s commitment to leveraging the state’s rich tourism and cultural history for both local and international tourists.

Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, the Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, revealed this during an interactive session on Tuesday to highlight Ministry activities such as the commissioning of the Glover Memorial Hall, the unveiling of the tourism master plan, the ongoing remodelling of the JK Randle Yoruba Centre, and Community Based Tourism (CBT), among others.

Speaking about the state’s tourism master plan, Akinbile-Yussuf stated that the policy was developed with the consent of relevant stakeholders in the tourism industry and that it was updated to reflect the current administration’s policy thrust and plans for the Entertainment and Tourism pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, particularly in the COVID-19 era.

According to her, the document would guide the execution and implementation of short, medium, and long-term plans in various areas of tourism activities, all in line with the objective to revitalize the sector.

The Commissioner explained that the goal of community-based tourism (CBT) is to facilitate the investigation, access, and development of tourism potentials such as unique cultural practices, traditions, and heritage within the local community.

Akinbile-Yussuf said: “The pilot scheme of community-based tourism has already kicked off in six local governments across all the five divisions of the State. The essence is to sensitise the local communities of the critical tourism assets and how to harness them as well as the train tour guides and operators”.

The Commissioner also stated that tour guide training is one of several options for creating jobs for the State’s burgeoning youth population and that preparations are in the works to hold one of the largest arts and craft shows in the country, which will expose participants to international markets.

While assuring travellers that they will be safe when visiting Lagos, Akinbile-Yussuf, revealed that enough safeguards have been put in place to protect the safety of people and property, and she is seeking partnerships with private organizations to conduct events.

She bemoaned the interruption to the State’s tourism calendar caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, noting the Greater Lagos Fiesta, which was recently cancelled due to the threat of a fourth wave of the pandemic.

“The strategic intent of the State Government in wanting to hold the fiesta was to accelerate the process of reflecting the economy of Lagos State by putting money in the hands of our people, through the deluge of commercial activities planned to take place during the fiesta. But the imperatives of protecting the lives of our people clearly override all economic and commercial considerations”, she said.

Akinbile-Yusuf revealed that plans are underway to organise a mega Arts and Craft exhibition that will empower and boost youth employment in the coming year.

“The Arts and Culture exhibition, that we are planning in the next quarter, is going to be a very big one, this is where we will be promoting people in Art and Craft sector to ensure that we expose them to business and market”, Akinbile-Yusuf concluded.

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