NATOP marks World Tourism Day with roadshow, media parley

As part of activities to mark this year’s World Tourism Day, the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), yesterday organised a roadshows in Abuja, with appearances at some select media organisations in Lagos.

Though the ongoing workers strike, which has grounded activities at major offices in Abuja, affected the turnout of the event, the association went ahead with the planned roadshow, which aims at promoting tourism in Nigeria.

Hajia Bilkisu Abdul, President NATOP, explained that, “the decision to do a roadshow in Abuja and Media parley in Lagos with select top media houses in the country is in line with the World Tourism Organisation’s theme for the 2018, which is Tourism and the Digital Transformation.” 

The importance of digital technologies in tourism, providing opportunities for innovation and preparing the sector for the future of work, is at the centre of World Tourism Day 2018.

Celebrated every 27 September around the world, the World Tourism Day is a unique opportunity to raise awareness on tourism’s actual and potential contribution to sustainable development.

This year’s cerebration helped to put the opportunities provided to tourism, by technological advances including big data, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, on the map of sustainable development. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) sees digital advances and innovation as part of the solution to the challenge of marrying continued growth with a more sustainable and responsible tourism sector.

Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General explained that, “Harnessing innovation and digital advances provides tourism with opportunities to improve inclusiveness, local community empowerment and efficient resource management, amongst other objectives within the wider sustainable development agenda”. 
While the Nigerian chapter celebrates the day in Abuja and Lagos respectively, the WTD official celebration will be held in Budapest, Hungary, a country enjoying steady growth of tourism backed by consistent policy support and a commitment to the digital future.