Abuja – The President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr Tomi Akingbogun, says that the 2015 Tourism Stakeholders Forum in Abuja may not hold.
Akingbogun spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.
“The tourism stakeholders’ forum is an avenue where all stakeholders from federal, state, local governments and private sector come together to chart the way forward for the development of the industry.
“Considering the change of government and the fact that the new government is yet to constitute the federal cabinet, the event may not hold this year.
“As you can see the falling price of crude oil, there is no federal cabinet, and most state governments in the country are struggling to pay workers’ salaries.
“I am afraid that the 2015 tourism stakeholders’ forum may not hold,” he said.
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Akingbogun said the forum which was scheduled for August would likely hold in the first or second quarter of 2016.
He also said that in the 2014 edition, tourism stakeholders attended and discussed meaningful strategies for the development of the sector.
“Last year, the forum featured investors like tour operators, airlines, government tourism boards, hoteliers, travel agents, craft makers, ice cream makers, park operators and many more from every part of Nigeria.
“The forum also discussed the numerous tourism opportunities in Abuja, including the Jabi Lake Resort and also proposed the need to develop water ways to boost tourism in the territory,” Akingbogun said.
The FTAN president had early in March told NAN that the 2015 investors’ forum would among other issues look at ways to encourage youths in the country to appreciate in tourism. (NAN)
