Association urges Nigerians to embrace holidaying to reduce stress

By SundiataPOST, Abuja

The President of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria, Malam Badaki Aliyu, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of going on holidays and leisure to minimise stress.

Aliyu made the call at the Seventh National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the association in Awka on Thursday.

He said holidaying would also encourage the people to acquire more knowledge about the country, especially the cultural aspects of other people.

“Our way of life; most of us do not even believe in holiday or socialising; taking out time to relax and moving from your community to another.

“These are things that could easily reduce stress and other related illnesses,‘’ he said.

Aliyu also said the tourism sector was still faced with some challenges like insecurity, infrastructure decay, the economy and government’s will.

He said that most of the people involved in the tourism sector in the government were not professionals.

“If professionals are in the right government offices, they will be able to address these issues by providing proper advice,’’ Aliyu said.

He urged all tiers of the government to develop tourism infrastructure and commended the federal government for its giant strides in revamping the power sector and in rehabilitating the roads.

Aliyu said the conference was put together to encourage professionalism in the industry.

He said: “Our aim is to use tourism as the driving force for the development if culture in Nigeria.’’