… call for investment incentives for investor

By CALEB AYANSINA

ABUJA – STAKEHOLDERS in the Nigeria Tourism stakeholders in Nigeria said that the country has enormous tourism potentials to turn the fortune of its economy around for good.

Consequently, they said those investment opportunities must be exhibited to the world, for investors across the globe to invest in the sector.
This, according to them, necessitated the forthcoming Africa Tourism Exhibition trademarked ‘Afro Tourism Expo’ 2014 scheduled to kick off in September 17, in Abuja, with the theme; ‘Creating the Framework and Business Environment for Investment in Africa’s Tourism Industries’.

Briefing the media on the expo, in Abuja, the Co-Founder of Afro Tourism Expo, Joesef Karim said Nigeria had the largest share of small scale tourism enterprises in the continent, therefore, there is need to show the potentials in the sector to further boost their businesses.

He further explained that there were factors that were militating against the growth of the tourism sector, and the event would provide opportunity to discuss them.
According to him, tourism sector is a private driven business, but there is need for government to provide a conducive environment for them to thrive in the sector.
His words; “The expo is a private sector initiative meant to facilitate Africa-oriented business and leisure investment, destination management and travel service delivery.

“It has the objective of providing Africa Tourism industries basic information, access to the continent leading hospitality brands and facilitating trade and investment partnership.”
Also speaking, the Managing Director, All-States Travel and Tour Ltd, Alh. Saleh Rabo said government could intervene in the sector, by providing infrastructures in addition to security, for the industry to grow.

Rabo maintained that government should package some incentives for investors, who would or had indicated interest to invest in the tourism sector.
According to him, when people invest in the sector, it would create more employment opportunities which would in turn translate to economic development in the country.

He said; “Government can come in by giving investment incentives to investors in tourism business. These incentives can be inform of tax rebate or tax holiday, etc, also there should be provision of infrastructures. All these, when provided, it will help the growth of the sector.