COUNTRIES of the world celebrated yet another World Tourism Day during the week. It was an opportunity for many countries to showcase what they have to parade in terms of tourism.

It was also an opportunity, according to Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General in his message that the World Tourism Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of tourism to global well-being.

Many countries today rely on tourism and travel for economic development as the industry is now one of the world’s largest industries and one of its fastest growing economic sectors.

In a recent publication by the United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), it was disclosed that International tourism grew by almost 5% in the first half of 2011, totaling a new record of 440 million arrivals. Results confirm that, in spite of multiple challenges, international tourism continues to consolidate the return to growth initiated in 2010.

Over the decade of the 1990s, Africa has experienced a rise in tourist arrivals from 8.4 million to 10.6 million and receipts growth from $2.3 billion to $3.7 billion, respectively.

For those countries having high tourist’s arrival, the governments in those countries had realized the role tourism can play in economic development of their various nations, but that is not same here in Nigeria.

The Nigerian government still sees and treats tourism as an instrument of entertainment and not instrument of economic development. This could probably informed why tourism has been sidelined in the scheme of things

Those saddled with the responsibility of enunciating the economic policies of government never thought about the potentials of tourism, the new economic team of the present government has not made any pronouncement on what tourism can do for the country’s economy.

So, one cannot but agree with the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke, in a recent interview when he said that the biggest economy in sub-Saharan Africa is driven by tourism which is the greatest contributor to GDP in South Africa, not the solid minerals sector? “And we, the second biggest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, are a mono-product economy.”

He further added that if Nigeria can add the advantages of culture and tourism to that derived from the oil sector, the country will easily overtake South Africa. “We’ve got the population and the market,”

The question is why has the eggheads in the country failed to look at the business angle of the sector apart from the mere dancing and singing?

Those involved in planning cannot be totally blamed for this as investment by the government in the industry had not been economically viable, instead of generating funds, they end up drain the public fund.

One good example is the Abuja Carnival. The carnival since its inception has not generated anything into the government coffers, but a drain pipe. Those involved in the organization of the carnival had not been able to declare what they generate from the hosting of the festival.

Today, the country has witnessed growth in the hospitality sector than ever before as most world leading names in the hospitality sector are in the country.

But, the country still needs investment in areas like ; Heritage/Cultural Tourism Resources Development of slave trade relic; Establishment of museums and preservation of monuments; Beach Tourism potentials Establishment of boating and sport fishing facilities; Development of water transportation Provision of educational facilities for water skiing and swimming as well as

Establishment of holiday resorts along the coasts.

The ministry of Trade and Investment and that of Finance should take active interest in the tourism sector as it is one sector that has the capacity to meet one of the Millennium Development Goals of Poverty eradication through job creation.

Like Edem Duke said “the culture and tourism sector is not just able to accommodate all kinds of professional competences but is also a sector with a low entry barrier.

“So whether you are skilled or unskilled, you will be able to find employment directly or indirectly in tourism. Tourism is pro-poor.”