Wednesday, September 27, 2023, was World Tourism Day, with the theme “Tourism and Green Investments.” This theme is appropriate for a year marked by global environmental concern.
One cannot underrate the negative influence and impact of mass traffic’s locomotion on a tourism environment, particularly as serious environmental issues like climate change, environmental degradation, pollution, and resource depletion are raging worldwide.
Nigeria is not absolved from all these environmental challenges, especially the effects of Boko Haram taking over some National Parks, shrinking some dams, rising water levels, indiscriminate logging, poaching of fauna, criminal deforestation, Sea pollution, reckless and abject refuse disposal mannerism, and deliberate neglect of environmental obligations due to a lack of awareness about environmental issues.
In the tourism sector in Nigeria, little attention is being focused on environmental issues, as most tourism administrators and policymakers seem to be in the oblivion of the strong interrelation between tourism and the environment other than ‘Tourism is being explored within the perimeter of the environment.
The carrying capacity of a particular site is not often considered. Still, sustainably utilising natural materials within the site will generate employment, encourage human creativity, empower people, and encourage development.
Nigeria can take several steps to maximise its green potential and enhance its tourism industry, viz:
Nigeria should endure the enactment of strong legal frameworks for conserving and preserving its green assets. This will go a long way towards ensuring sustainability and a national focus on environmental issues.
This will also help Nigeria prioritise conserving and preserving its natural resources, including forests, wildlife, and biodiversity, as a national vision and mission. Accommodating the existing national parks, protected areas, and wildlife reserves can achieve this.
It should also enact strict regulations and enforcement mechanisms to prevent illegal activities such as poaching and deforestation.
Nigeria should embrace and promote sustainable tourism practices that minimise the negative impact on the environment and local communities, encourage eco-friendly accommodations and transportation, and encourage tour operators to follow sustainable guidelines, implement waste management systems, and promote recycling and energy-efficient practices in tourism zones.
Nigeria should invest in green infrastructure development, such as eco-lodges, nature trails, and observation decks that allow tourists to experience Nigeria’s natural beauty while minimising their ecological footprint, develop sustainable transportation options such as electric or hybrid vehicles and promote cycling and walking paths.
Any attempt at exploring green assets without the community’s involvement and empowering them would be an effort in nullity. Hence, Nigeria must involve local communities in the planning and managing tourism initiatives, encourage community-based tourism projects that empower residents, provide them with economic opportunities, and promote cultural preservation. This can include homestay programs, handicraft production, and cultural performances.
Nigeria should embark on strategic education and awareness creation by implementing educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of eco-tourism and environmental conservation among tourists and local communities and provide training and capacity building for tourism operators, guides, and local communities to promote responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
Nigeria should develop an aggressive, well-honed marketing and promotion strategy, including targeted marketing campaigns, to showcase its green potential and attract environmentally conscious tourists.
This promotional strategy and branding should highlight the country’s unique natural attractions, such as national parks, waterfalls, wildlife reserves, and coastal areas.
This could be done effectively by leveraging digital platforms and social media to reach a wider audience and promote eco-tourism initiatives.
All these cannot be positive without a well-oiled collaborative and partnering policy that fosters collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, local communities, and private sector stakeholders and seeks partnerships with international organisations, foundations, and funding opportunities for green tourism initiatives.
By implementing these strategies, Nigeria can maximize its green potential, protect its natural resources, and attract tourists interested in experiencing the country’s unique and diverse natural beauty while minimizing their impact on the environment.
These strategies and frameworks should be explored to benefit from the essence of this year’s tourism message, ‘Tourism and Green Investments.’
•Ojo-Lanre is a foremost tourism advocate in Nigeria and a Green Growth and Travelism graduate student at Hasselt University in Belgium.
