Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), during the week, set up a 15-man committee to drive four major tourism projects in the country. Tagged, Project Tourism, the programme include Grand Tourism Award, Host Family Scheme, Global Road Show as well as Cultural Village.
These, according to the Corporation, would be executed in collaboration with a private sector operator, Linas International Limited.
At the inauguration, the Director General, NTDC, Sally Mbanefo, emphasised the ripple effects of the project on individual and national economy. She said the Grand Tourism Award, which is also tagged National Tourism Honours Award, would be instituted to honour and encourage outstanding achievements in all areas of the tourism value chain in the country.
According to her, the award covers hotel owners, tourism promoters, investors, the media and other stakeholders in the industry.
“The aim is to promote growth and development of tourism, attract investment, participation and expansion of the tourism industry in Nigeria as key economic sector and foreign revenue spinner”, she said.
The global road show project aims at encouraging exhibition of the nation’s tourism assets by hoteliers, airlines, transporters and entrepreneurs. The cultural village project also aims at identifying and establishing one acknowledged cultural tourism hub in each state of the country.
“The centre will build on already established or existing monuments, arts and sites. This will encourage growth of tourism, using cultural contents,” Mbanefo stated.
She stressed that the project, which is expected to take off immediately, will not only create jobs but will also expose Nigerians to abounding tourism products and destinations.
The Committee, which is headed by Honourable Ned Nwoko of Linas International Limited, also has Rea Omoh of NTDC as the Vice Chairperson.
Speaking on behalf of Linas International, Onyeka Nwokolo, who represented Honourable Nwoko, said the group was optimistic that the project will advance the course of domestic tourism in the country.
