48 African tourism ministers to storm Abuja as Nigeria hosts United Nations African Commission Tourism Summit

By Wale Ojo-Lanre

Prince Adetokunbo Kayode,
Tourism MinisterThe Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation under Prince Adetokunbo Kayode is taking a giant leap at ensuring that the tourism vision of President Umar Yar’Adua align perfectly with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Commission for Africa (UNWTOCAF) as it prepares to host the meeting of the world body in Abuja from May 13-16, 2008 at the Transcorp Hotel.

The right of hosting the 47th international summit, CAF was granted Nigeria during the 17th session of the UNWTO General Assembly held in Cartageria de India, Columbia in November, 2007.
The UNWTO General Assembly was said to have been impressed by the rapid advancement which Nigeria has been making in the tourism sector and believed that it was necessary for UNWTOCAF meet to hold in Nigeria so as to further help the country in consolidation of progress made.

UNWTO believed that if the UNWTO Commission for Africa with membership of 48 countries, which is the largest of the 6 regional commissions of UNWTO is held in Nigeria, the country tourism fortunes will continued to flourish.

The UNWTO CAF conference is not another jamboree but a venue created by the United Nation’s World Tourism Organisation to avail members of the opportunity to present their programme of activities and discuss the problems, prospect and solutions and the implementation of general programme of work as it affects the region.

And because of the wonderful performance of Nigeria which served as the Chairman, UNWTO Africa Commission in 2005 - 2007, the body crafted the theme of this year’s summit in relation to area of need of the country “How can marketing technique contribute to enhance African Destinations.”

The regional seminar is a capacity building programme where federal ministries and state tourism officials, tourism boards, private stakeholders, tour operators and tourism practitioners will not only gain tremendously but make contact and network business as tourism ministers and tourism practitioners from 48 African countries will converge over Nigeria.

We shall show our strength at UNWTOCAF Summit - Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, DG, NTDC

By Wale Ojo-Lanre

The Executive Suites
Otunba Runsewe, DG, NTDC THE Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, (NTDC) Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has said that Nigeria would use the UNWTO CAF Summit in Abuja to showcase the tourism strength and opportunities that abound in Nigeria.

Otunba Runsewe whose corporation is saddled with the responsibility of marketing and promoting tourism in Nigeria said “NTDC is going to mobilize its staff, connected tourism agencies, associations, the media and other relevant groups at projecting to the 48 ministers and countries delegates that Nigeria is the best destination in Africa.”

Otunba Runsewe who commended the Minister for being able to acquire the hosting of the conference said that “Nigeria stand to benefit tremendously from such a regional world body conference.

He pointed out that “now that we have been given the right to host this all important tourism conference, it now behove us all in the tourism ministries, I mean all other parastatals to key into this conference and maximising the opportunities there in.

Otunba Runsewe said NTDC would seized the conference to show the visiting ministers and delegates, which will include investors, tour agencies and tourism practitioners “why we are the best tourism destination in Africa.

“We shall show them investible areas, sites, monument and museums, conserved areas, wonderful scenes in Nigeria. We will show and demonstrate how hospitable Nigeria are. We will prove to them that Nigeria is not crime prone like it is being depicted by the western media and if there is enough time, we will show them places even here in Abuja that will dazzle their imagination and increase their quest for Nigeria.”

Otunba Runsewe disclosed that other parastatals in the Culture, Black Arts Civilization, National heritage would also show their colours by packaging events and shows to show case that Nigeria is the heartland of culture and African values.

The Director-General, NTDC call on other Director-Generals of parastatals in the ministry to seize the opportunities offered by the conference in achieving purposeful gain for their parastatals and Nigeria.

“All parastatals under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture has something tangible to gain in this UNWTOCAF Conference. It is a unique opportunity why we must not let go unexplored, unexploited and unutilized. It is a good event, which the Minister, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode facilitated and all of us must key into it and make the best of it to the glory of Nigeria tourism.”

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48 African tourism ministers to storm Abuja as Nigeria hosts United Nations African Commission Tourism Summit

We shall show our strength at UNWTOCAF Summit - Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, DG, NTDC