Source: theeagleonline.com.ng
…Advocates Total Industry Leadership Overhaul
…Seeks Fresh Focus For Sector
…Commends NATOP
Foremost tourism administrator and former Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Otunba Segun Runsewe, has called on tourism practitioners in Nigeria to wake up to their responsibilities by tracking the activities of Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) and holding their leaders accountable.
Runsewe, who was speaking at the sidelines of the recent National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) recognition award and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Calabar, noted that the industry leadership needs total overhauling in view of its lack of presence and very poor advocacy for tourism change in Nigeria, particularly at this time when Nigeria needs help to diversify its economy.
The former NTDC boss ,who has been silence on tourism industry issues since he was removed from of office two years ago for alleged political association with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, expressed sadness at the poor attention given to tourism in the last two years, wondering why some stakeholders could not challenge and correct the ugly situation.
Runsewe, who was a recipient of NATOP award for major and historical tourism contribution during his tenure in office, noted that time has come to rebrand the industry.
Runsewe stated that tourism was better than oil because it is the highest employer of labour in the world.
He however commended NATOP for showing robust capacity to analyse national tourism issues and also for having a sense of history for choosing to confer an award on him for his modest contribution to growth of Nigerian tourism.
In a letter to the President of NATOP dated February 19, 2016 and personally signed by Otunba Runsewe, who is now the chairman Golf Garden Waterfront, an upscale golf sports tourism resort in Abuja and first of its kind in Africa, stated that NATOP had always played vital roles in setting the tourism message right in Nigeria.
While urging the association to remain steadfast in its drive to promote tourism, Runsewe pleaded with stakeholders to ensure that they reposition tourism as a critical sector of Nigeria’s economy.
