LAGOS – The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) on Tuesday said it would partner Lagos State Government to develop the tourism and hospitality industry in the state.
Director-General of the institute, Mrs Chika Balogun, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Balogun said that the partnership would help to reposition tourism industry in the state, adding that the collaboration would be driven by the institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations in the state.
According to her, Lagos State has enormous tourism potential that are yet to be tapped.
“The partnership will serve as an eye-opener for both partners and investors on tourism assets in the state.
“There are so many areas the government is not looking at, but with this teamwork with the institute, it will move the industry to the next level,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the synergy would attract local and foreign investors to the state, who would rejuvenate its tourism and hospitality sector.
“This will be achieved by training government officials, private and public investors, operators and other stakeholders on tourism development and its investment opportunity.
“The institute will also engage in Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) to develop the industry,“ Balogun said.
She added that the partnership would also create investment opportunities in the state and encourage classification of hotels.
“I believe in teamwork and I am familiar with some challenges facing the industry.
“I believe that very soon we will make headway and move this multi-million Naira sector forward in the areas of training and capacity building, “ she said.
The director-general promised to improve on condition of service of the institute to enable it to meet its responsibilities, especially quality service delivery.
“These we will achieve by introducing professional, technical and specialised trainings as well as post-graduate courses in the travel, tourism and hospitality fields,“ she said. (NAN)
