CHUKS OKOH
The Akwaaba African Travel Market has commenced in Lagos with hundreds of participants attending the three day event with tourism expert calling on government for proper tourism structured programmes
The President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) Alhaji Aliyu Badaki, said in his goodwill message at the 23rd Akwaaba tourism market that, tourism in the country lacks growth as a result of neglect by government and lack of proper structure.
“We are where we are now in tourism in Nigeria is because of lack of proper structure. We cannot continue doing the same thing the same way and expect different results”
Badaki said FTAN has been calling on government and critical stakeholders to change these narratives by putting proper structure in place that will enhance all tourism businesses and also promote the country.
“As a nation, we are blessed with tourism activities. There’s nobody that will come and argue: look at Akwaaba. Akwaaba is no longer a teenager; it has gone beyond that, adult. To be an adult, you know what it means. 22nd back-to-back, it is not funny”
He commended Ambassador Ikechi Uko for single handedly promoted tourism in last 22 years adding that organizing an event for a year was not an easy task but noted that Ikechi has done it back-to-back
Badaki said the body will continue to support Akwaaba and well-meaning people that are into tourism in order to promote the nation and West Africa and Africa in general.
Akwaaba African Travel Market is an annual event that draws tourism experts from across the continent and being organised by Ambassador Ikechi Uko
