Leadership crises: Runsewe intervenes, as tourism operators call for truce
Various registered tourism operators under the umbrella of Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), last week, agreed to put the lingering leadership crises behind them in the interest of the sector.
They also pledged to synergies with all tiers of government to reposition the tourism sector.
The leadership of the groups, led by the National President (FTAN), Alhaji Rabo Saleh, made the resolve at the close of a two-day intervention meeting with the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe.
Saleh, on behalf of the private sector stakeholders in tourism, stated that the peace talk became imperative so as to forge ahead in promoting tourism in the country.
With the leadership crises over, Saleh noted that the private sector operators would be formidable enough to lead the sector, which originally belonged to them.
He further commended Runsewe for timely intervention, stressing that tourism all over the world is private sector driven.
“The industry belong to us in the private sector. But if the private sector is not in tune with what it is doing, then, there is problem.
“That is the reason we want to tell Nigerians that we are intact. We have put the past behind us and we now work in a synergy to move the sector forward”, Saleh said.
FTAN boss, however, decried government’s apathy towards tourism development, noting that as the provider of enabling environment for tourism to thrive, increase in budgetary allocation remains crucial.
“Funding for the sector is not satisfactory. If the government is indeed the provider of enabling environment, there is need for adequate funding for tourism infrastructural development,” he added.
Speaking earlier, Runsewe, who recently bagged the title of the President, World Craft Council in China, expressed need for the private sector operators to work in harmony.
He again reiterated the relevance of the tourism sector to the economy, and commended the groups for recognizing his input in the sector and for accepting to work in unity.
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