LAGOS – A Tourism Consultant in Lagos, Mr Tunde Oloyede, has advised the Federal Government to focus more on the growth of local tourism industry.
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Oloyede, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday, expressed dismay at the way tourism activities were being held abroad.
According to him, tourism industry can grow if the Federal Government supports the sector financially and holds major conferences in Nigeria.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
The consultant said that most of the country’s tourism events including exhibition, fairs, conferences and seminars were being held abroad.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
“Government, rather than patronising established tourism businesses in the country, preferred going abroad.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
“This is killing Nigerian tourism industry.
“Once a government official is appointed to take civil servants for training, they preferred to take them to locations like Canada, Dubai, UK, US, South Africa and Ghana.
“The financial gain of the participants is the core reason for such trips.
“If Nigerians do not patronise Nigerian goods, who will?’’ he said.
Oloyede urged states and the Federal Government to support the growth of local tourism by patronising the local tourism businesses. (NAN)
