Experts identify factors inhibiting tourism, hospitality growth 

Experts have identified obsolete laws and lack of proper national development policy as some of the factors inhibiting the increase of value chain in the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria.

Speaking at the 20th Hotel Business Conference and Expo, HBCE, held in Abuja, yesterday, President of Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), Nkereuwem Onung, said the growth of Nigeria’s tourism industry will continue to be slow as long as the laws remain obsolete. 

Onung noted that the sector has to be properly coordinated to attract investment and funding. He said to move the industry forward there is a need for urgent reformation of some of the obsolete laws to bring them to par with the international community.

He added that for better funding and growth in the sector, there should be establishment of enterprise development fund centres across the six geographical zones in the country.

The keynote speaker, Mr Trevor Ward, Managing Director, W. Hospitality Group, who spoke on the theme: ‘Future of hospitality in Nigeria: challenges and opportunities, identified proper organisation as a factor that would help the industry increase value chain. 

Ward stressed the need to embrace opportunities provided by information communication technology to grow and develop the sector.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Lydia Jafiya, also called on Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities provided by information technology. (She was represented by Nara Patricia Joseph, Director, Domestic and Eco-tourism Department.)

The Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman of Hotel Owners Forum, Chika Chejila, called for more collaboration among members for growth of the industry. 
He said the forum was birthed during the turbulence experienced in the industry in the past and called for unity.