Expert Tasks FG to Implement Strategic Policies to Drive Growth in the Tourism Industry

By Ugo Aliogo

The Director, Tourism Consultant Forum (TCF) Mrs. Clara Okoro, has tasked the federal government to implement strategic policies to drive the growth of the tourism sector.

Okoro, who disclosed this to THISDAY in an interview, noted that if Nigeria adopts the right policy framework, it would offer the country huge opportunity to develop its numerous economic potentials.

She also noted that other countries are reaping economic gains from tourism have adopted transformative and sustainable economic policies.

“Agricultural tourism, medical Tourism, Faith based Tourism, Landscape Tourism, are all Tourist attractions that can develop sub sector masterplans that can employ a lot of people and help grow the economy if it is properly structured so Nigeria stands to gain a lot if there is a cohesive strategic plan that can make Tourism the alternative to our Oil based economy,” she noted.

She advised government to partner with organisations such as TCF and allied sectors in driving the growth of the sector.

According to Okoro: “With members Nationwide we represent one of the forces influencing the Tourism space in Nigeria. Our key interests includes ensuring we foster education, excellence, inclusion, knowledge and experience of Nigeria’s abundant offerings in tourism through our professional tourism consultancy as well as strategic partnerships with Government and other professional bodies to take the tourism industry in Nigeria and especially in states where we have large membership base to the levels where they should be.

“Our members have and are still in the business of transforming the Tourism sector in Nigeria; we handle Turnkey projects for State Governments in Nigeria and also develop strategic Tourism Blueprints for States who wants to harness their tourism potentials.”