By Rufus Ike

AS a way of diversifying the ailing nation’s economy, the Group Managing Director of a Lagos-based hotel, Nanet Hotel and Suites, Mr. Ini Akpabio, has called on the Federal Government to look towards boosting the tourism sector. Akpabio said that building up the  tourism sector can lead to it taking over oil sector’s lead position in the country.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos, Akpabio noted that the nation‘s economy would have risen beyond this level if the government gave the sector the needed preference.

He said: “The federal government is not yet convinced that the tourism sector can take the position of oil by fetching the country`s huge revenue. As a key player in the industry, I strongly believe that tourism sector can be used as an alternative to the oil sector if the necessary measures are put in place.”

Akpabio said that tourism rebirth remains the reliable means of repositioning Nigeria in the comity of nations, adding that we could build a resilient economy with our tourism potential. Suggesting that adequate measure should be taken for the protection of tourism and national monuments across the country, he said that man-made tourism should also be created to attract investments.

Stating the importance of tourism, he said that in 2014, tourism contributed 1.7 percent of Nigeria’s GDP while in South Africa, it contributed over 12 percent of the GDP in the same period. Besides, he said in 2015, tourism in Nigeria contributed about N1.6 billion, which is about 1.8 percent of the annual GDP.

According to him, “I think that is a huge number. When translated, about 800,000 jobs were created for people that work in hotels, travel agencies and airlines, the industry can do more.” Advising government at all levels to boost the tourism potentials, he said: “Nigeria’s music and film industry are huge potentials that could be harnessed and turned into a tourist attraction.

“These sectors alone can be developed and turned into a huge money spinning for the country. If the right people are not appointed in the right position, it will be a set-back for the economy,” he said.