Tourism Can Boost Nigeria‘s Economy, Says Eyeoyibo

NIGERIA economy can survive from the negative effects of current fall oil prices at the international market and come out stronger, if adequate investment is injected into the hospitality and tourism sector urgently.

Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer Roseview Hotel, Mr. Oritsebemigho Eyeoyibo made this observation during an exclusive interview he had with the Guardian. Eyeoyibo, a frontline hospitality expert , said that tourism and hospitality sector needs more attention than it is getting presently.

“Tourism is a goldmine not well harnessed despites its huge exchange potentials,” he said. He noted that there is hardly any state or local government in Nigeria that does not have one or more unique tourism potentials that could turn to a source of revenue generation and attract people from all parts of the world to this country.

He said the current oil prices drop is a wake- up call for Nigeria to try utilise other sustainable alternatives rather relying on oil as major asset. “With good infrastructure in place, tourism would be a money spinner with better prospects than oil. Eyeoyibo also decried the state of infrastructure in Nigeria.

He said the shortage of electricity is one of the challenges facing hotel owners. “Most hotels provide 24hours electricity and security to protect their facilities, a situtaion which shot up their overheads.