Folarin-Coker tasks tourism stakeholders on innovation

…lists achievements

As the Lagos State Government celebrates 365 days in office, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Folorunso Folarin-Coker, has called on stakeholders to develop new projects and services to attract new tourists and service providers into the State.

Speaking at a briefing in commemoration of the first year anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Folarin-Coker disclosed that the ministry was not just interested in promoting the expansion in the production of tourism products and services but also out to encourage key players in the sector to be innovative.

He said: “Among our objectives are to use entertainment as a tool to increase the consumption of Lagos tourism products, ensure that tourist consume more of Lagos State with a view to strengthen tourism establishments and also to create employment opportunities in the sector”.

“The ministry also plan to foster increment in economic activities with a direct bearing on hospitality, entertainment and job creation with a view to cause an increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State through increased in tourism related activities and to encourage internal tourism among the residents of Lagos State.”

Listing achievements of the state since the new government came to power, the commissioner noted that the ministry recognised the importance of strategic branding of destinations to the development of tourism and was exploiting the identified benefits of destination branding by registering the ‘One Lagos,’ ‘Love Lagos, ‘ and the ‘ One Lagos Fiesta’ brands at the trademarks registry.

“The One Lagos brand, which is the master brand of Lagos is packaged to showcase the true spirit of Lagos through different creative expressions while leveraging on the City’s abundant soft power to reverse the negative conversation often associated with Lagos, reinvigorate tourism across the state by celebrating our unique people, places and heritage and positively promote Lagos as the destination in Africa.”

Folarin-coker further disclosed that the ‘One Lagos’ brand would be launched formally this month and would serve as the countdown to “Lagos @ 50” celebrations.  
  “The launch will ensure the promotion and development of the culture of entertainment, arts and leisure in the state; formally unveil the One Lagos logo and memento; maximize economic benefits from tourism and identify with the vision of the Government, for the inclusion of communities, “ he added.

On the needs to provide tourism information to the public, Folarin-coker disclosed that his ministry has developed the One Lagos Website and Mobile application to provide authentic Lagos content for tourist and residents of Lagos.
“ The Website and App, showcase the true spirit of Lagos and provides real time information for Lagos, spanning arts and culture events, nightlife, entertainment, restaurants, accommodation, emergency services, traffic news, weather reports and more,” he explained.

He encouraged Langosians and other tourists to download the One Lagos App for a unique digital and informative experience of Lagos.