Nigeria is blessed
with rich natural resources. These resources have, no doubt, contributed
meaningfully to the economic growth and development of the country. While some
of these resources have been reproduced into things of greater value, such as
gold and PMS, DPK, AGO and LPFO products, others are being preserved as tourism
attractions for indigenes and foreigners alike. The likes of Olumo Rock in
Abeokuta, Zuma Rock in Niger, Obudu Mountain Resort in Calabar, Awhum Waterfall
in Enugu, The Giant Footprint of Ukhuse Okein Edo and Alok Ikom Moliths in
Cross River are few examples of natural resources turned tourism sites.
Tourism is a very
competitive industry – although not much of the competition has been seen in
Nigeria - and the competitive advantage becomes unnatural if it’s largely
driven by science, technology, information and innovation. We must manage our
resources better and pair our tourism products with man-made innovations.
Nigeria’s tourism should focus on increasing its standards on infrastructure,
accommodation and services. We must get these things right for tourism to grow.
We also need to package tourism for Nigerians in Nigeria, the return on
investment from traditional source markets will remain low as this market is
sensitive. Intra-country tourism can grow double digit if well harnessed.
It becomes especially
important for our government to develop infrastructure, develop incentives for
tourism investment, build convention centres through Public Private
Partnerships, fund tourism promotion better, conserve our natural resources by
launching anti-poaching campaign and increase enforcement and invest in quality
education and tourism training. Our focus should be to develop strong public
institutions in the country that will outlive our leaders/political parties; we
should divorce politics from development; and we must exorcise the demon of
corruption and embrace fiscal discipline – the misuse of public resources is
indeed appalling.
Much has to be done
by the private sector. It needs to improve its services and products, embrace
innovation, explore new markets and promote multi-cultural packages. It should
finance and equip its membership organizations, most of which are poorly funded
and staffed hence ineffective. Let’s look inwardly and get our own people to
consume our tourism products such as booking a hotel through an online platform
like Jumia Travel; a lot more revenue
will be generated from intra-country tourism patronage.
Intra-country and
intra-continent trade is not yet popular among the African countries. While
trade is recognized as the gateway to development, the statistics on
intra-country trade has been very unimpressive, compared to the developed
countries. In 2014 in Europe, for example, 69% of exports were to other
countries on the continent. In Asia, that figure stood at 52% and in North
America at 50%. Africa had the lowest level of intra-regional trade, at just
18%. Someday – just someday, we will achieve eureka!
About Me
Olukayode Kolawole is the Head of PR & Marketing for Africa's number one hotel booking portal, Jumia Travel
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