Minister Advocates for Growth of Nigeria’s Domestic Tourism Through Improved Infrastructure, Visa Reforms
The Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John, has intensified her advocacy to strengthen domestic tourism in the country.
Her recent engagements include collaborative discussions with key ministries to leverage existing infrastructure and resolve challenges hindering the tourism industry’s growth.
During a crucial meeting with the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Said Alkali, the two leaders explored strategies to integrate Nigeria’s rail and road networks into a broader tourism framework.
Mrs. Ade-John emphasised the importance of harnessing the country’s transport infrastructure to bolster tourism activities, specifically highlighting the role Nigeria tour operators could play in utilising these facilities to grow their businesses.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish a Joint Committee involving tour operators and stakeholders from both ministries.
This committee will work towards creating a practical and effective framework to implement domestic tourism projects aimed at fostering growth within the sector.
In a related effort to facilitate the ease of travel for tourists, the Tourism Minister also recently engaged with the Minister of Interior, alongside the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in discussions aimed at addressing visa-related issues.
One of the major barriers identified was the high cost of visa processing, which has deterred increased tourist visits, particularly from other African countries.
Ade-John’s advocacy is focused on resolving these issues, including streamlining visa-on-arrival processes and lowering costs to encourage more visitors.
Her proactive approach has garnered praise from event organisers and stakeholders within the tourism industry.
With her continuous engagement in discussions aimed at easing operational challenges for tour operators, Mrs. Ade-John has set a new standard for ministerial involvement in tourism.
Notably, Mrs. Ade-John has attended more tourism-related events across Nigeria in her first year in office than her predecessors did over four years.
These events have provided her with firsthand insights into the concerns of stakeholders, further shaping her strategic approach to revitalising the sector.
In her closing remarks, the Tourism Minister reaffirmed her commitment to ongoing collaboration with various ministries and agencies, ensuring that the challenges faced by industry players are effectively addressed as part of a comprehensive plan to grow Nigeria’s tourism potential.
