Expert urges FG to improve on tourism investment plans in 2017

Mr Isaac Moses, the Group Managing Director, Goge Africa and Goge Foundation, on Friday, urged the Federal Government to improve on its tourism investment plans in 2017.

Moses told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that there were lots of investment opportunities, worth billions of naira in the sector that needed to be tapped to develop the economy of the country.

The expert further advised government to prioritise its tourism agenda in 2017 to ensure that things were done accordingly.

He said that proper utilisation of the investment opportunities in the sector would in return generate huge revenue for the government.

“The industry is blessed with several investment potential yet untapped.

“There are several areas which the government can focus its investment plans to boost its revenue source,”he said.

The areas he said include; airline, travel agents, tour guide, parks and gardens, heritage sites, museums and monuments, hotels, game reserves and other attractions.

He said that the potential in the industry, if well utilised, would help to raise the nation’s revenue earning and boost its foreign reserves.

‘If agenda are not set, the government may lose focus by not achieving anything at the end.

‘By the time government sets agenda for itself, and know what it wants to implement in 2017, that will make its work much easier and gives it the opportunity to achieve more.”

He expressed concern over the poor conditions of the country’s heritage and attraction sights and urged government to put them in proper shape to attract local and international tourists, including investors.

Moses commended United Nations and World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for their key interests in the development of the nation’s tourism sector through collaboration with the government.

“As government is collaborating with the foreign nations and experts, it should also work closely with the local experts, practitioners and investors to develop the industry.

“The local investors and practitioners are the grassroots operators that understand the industry better, therefore, there is need for government to work closely with them.”

Moses expressed optimism that with the present Buhari-led administration’s zeal and interest in domestic tourism development, the sector would be the highest revenue generating entity to the economy