In its commitment to exploring and attracting domestic and international tourist traffic to Nigeria and to boost the nation’s economy,the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc (ANN), publishers of the Tribune titles, to boost the promotion and development of tourism vis-à-vis the association’s activities in the south western states of the country.

The National Vice-President of the FTAN, South West chapter, Prince Ganiyu Adebiyi, who led a six- man team including Mr Wahab Ajao, Adewale Adenrele, Olajide Olatunbosun, Mrs Taiwo Olubunmi and Chief Afuye to the Tribune Newspapers, said the visit to the media house was to demonstrate the association’s commitment to the promotion of tourism.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Tribune House, Imalefalafia, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, recently, the Vice President, South-West, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), Prince Ganiyu Adebiyi, commended the management of the Tribune newspapers for its steadfastness and unalloyed commitment to the promotion of tourism through its reportage.

According to Adebiyi, “we deemed it fit to visit the Nigerian Tribune as our first media house since we came together as the new executives of FTAN, South-West chapter, and, most importantly, the Tribune amongst other national dailies in the country pioneered and maintained the lead in the reportage of tourism industry.

“We appreciate the immense contribution of the Tribune titles to the promotion of tourism, being the only newspaper in Nigeria that dedicates six pages to tourism and this is one of the major reasons we decided to visit and partner with Tribune.”

The FTAN VP described the South-West as the hub of tourism in Nigeria, which he said needed urgent attention from the government to give the sector the desired development that would boost the economy of the states.

“Is it our large deposit of tourism potentials? Is it our heritage, culture, festival, eco-tourism sites and destinations? We have all it takes to attract the world, but unfortunately, our governments are not meeting up with the challenges.

“So, our major duty as FTAN is advocacy and also rallying other stakeholders to make sure that our governors in the South-West of Nigeria comes together to develop tourism.”

Prince Adebiyi also disclosed that another major reason for visiting the Tribune house was to collaborate with the management to enhance the tourism promotional content of the Tribune titles, as well as joining forces to facilitate tourism programmes, activities and to reawaken the practical commitment of tourism stakeholders in the south-western states.

“We also want the Nigerian Tribune to be our partner in progress in order to fasttrack the development and promotion of tourism in the South- West, which falls under the jurisdiction of our association (FTAN).

“We will be organising different programmes and activities. The first will be the 2012 celebration of the World Tourism Day, billed for September 27, and as a media partner, we would request the Tribune support in covering the event.

“Tribune is the only surviving pioneer newspaper in the country and we pray that God will continue to strengthen it to be the voice of the people.”

Responding on behalf of the founder, publisher and management of the African Newspapers of Nigeria, the Tribune Titles, the Editor, Nigerian Tribune, Mr. Edward Dickson, in his heart-felt appreciation, welcomed and thanked the executives of the South-West chapter of the FTAN for making the Tribune house their first port of call.

According the him, “We are highly honoured because people appreciated what we are doing and for an umbrella body of all the tourism associations in Nigeria to single us out as the frontline tourism promoter in Nigeria, is an honour that will ignite us to do more.

“If you are not aware, the Nigerian Tribune pioneered the reportage of tourism with a front page story,’  which feature in the maiden edition of the Tribune newspapers printed in 1949, a tourism story ‘Mystery tree found near Oyo.”

“It was not by mistake, but by a deliberate effort by the founder of the Tribune titles.

“Candidly, your visit to the house is a very significant one to us because the visit has shown that what we have been doing over the years has been appreciated, especially by critical stakeholders in the tourism industry.

“Over the years, we have devoted our attention to tourism, and, as we speak, we have six pages dedicated to tourism every Wednesday. In addition, we thank God for the Tourism Editor, Mr Wale Ojo-lanre, who was a tourism person right from day one.

“He started as a features writer and eventually became an authority in the world of tourism. He is doing so much and we too are doing so much to promote and set agenda for the tourism industry.

“Tourism is one of the critical sectors we media houses in Nigeria today cannot ignore, but it is unfortunate that government pays less or no attention to a money spinning sector like tourism, which has boosted the economy of many countries of the world.

“I am enjoining your association to be up and doing and be rest assured that we will partner with you people towards the realisation of your objectives in this direction.

“In the programmes the FTAN has scheduled to promote practical tourism, we will not only give you the publicity needed, but I assure you that we will help to facilitate the right contacts to meet up your goals.

“Aside oil, if there is any other sector that will attract foreign tourists or generate money in Nigeria, it is tourism and the South-West plays a significant role because of its rich and abundant tourism potential. However, the bulk of the job rests on the FTAN, which is saddled with the responsibility of promoting the sector, to take up  the challenge and make the South- West a viable hub of tourism.

“For a country to develop, it is the economic power base that matters, and in Nigeria the economic power base is in the South-West and, to a large extent, tourism remain a significant sector in this area, which must be given prominence.”