NIHOTOUR backs organisations promoting youth tourism

The Director General (DG) of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, has reiterated the readiness of the Institute under his watch to offer all necessary support to organisations involved in the promotion of youth tourism in the country.

Kangiwa who made the disclosure when he received in audience, members of the National Executive Council of Youth Tourism Development Organization-Nigeria (YTDONigeria) led by its President, Comrd. Emmanuel Okon, said youths constitutes a very critical area of focus in the efforts to develop and grow the Nigerian tourism industry.

He said NIHOTOUR is prepared to reverse the trend on the neglect of youth in national tourism development programmes through value reorientation and the inculcation of positive mind sets of Nigerian youths on the significance of tourism as a veritable tool for poverty alleviation, youth empowerment and job creation in line with the strong values the present administration attaches to tourism and youth matters.

Kangiwa assured them to offer the necessary support of the Institute to the organisation in human capacity development and in sundry programs such as the research project the Institute is currently partnering with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to have an information data base for the Nigerian travel-tourism and hospitality industry, urging YTDONigeria to come on board for overall good of the industry.

Earlier in his address, President of YTDONigeria and leader of the delegation, Comrade Emmanuel Okon said they were on the courtesy visit to formally congratulate Mr Kangiwa on his appointment and assumption of office as Director General of NIHOTOUR and to solicit for the support of the Institute in the programs and activities of the organization.

He further said the DG has been appointed as Patron of the YTDONigeria, stating that arrangements are being made to formally confer on him the patrons at an elaborate ceremony to be held soon.