The Western Zone of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has charged the Nigerian government to give the Tourism industry in the country, more attention.
The former Vice President and National Treasurer of the association, Dr Olatokunbo Dagunduro, said this during the association’s familiarisation trip to Ilaji Hotels & Sports Resort (Hospitality) Limited in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.
He noted that the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for more attention on the development and promotion of domestic tourism, in the country.
“Unlike oil, tourism is sustainable. And the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for both the government and tourism and hospitality promoters to focus more on the exploration of the domestic tourism potentialities and assets in the country.
“Tourism and hospitality promoters cannot do this alone. Government has a huge role to play. The government need to provide an enabling environment for tourism to thrive in the country. Poor infrastructure facilities in the country and double taxation are choking the industry.”
Dr Dagunduro added that “Tourism investors are associations are doing so much to improve the lots of the industry, but there is a limit to what they can do. Government has a lot to do to make the country stand tall in the comity of tourism nations in the world.”
The National Treasurer of NANTA, who disclosed the readiness of the association to synergise with the management of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort to market the destination within Nigeria, Africa and the world at large, commended resorts chairman, Engr (Chief) Dorun Sanusi for the initiative.
“Ilaji Hotels & Sports Resort is simply unique. We hope this initiative will surpass generations. With this initiative, we have found the solace that there is hope for tourism in the country. No doubt, Engr Sanusi has metamorphosed himself into an established stakeholder in tourism. The Ilaji Resort shows his zeal and passion to promote tourism in Nigeria,” Dr Dagunduro said
In his reaction, Engr. Dotun Sanusi said the rationale behind the establishment of Ilaji Hotels & Resort was not to make huge financial gains but to touch lives and develop society.
“My coming to this area is to give back to society. I wanted to invest in the most backward Local Government Area but with a lot of history in Oyo State which I found Ona Ara Local Government to be one, hence the establishment of Ilaji Hotels & Sports Resort here. One acre of land was N30,000 when this resort was birth here, today, a plot of land is N450,000. Also, Ona Ara Local Government is known to be notorious, but today the most it has become the most peaceful Local Government Area in the State.”
Engr Sanusi, who noted that Nigeria is full of opportunities, lamented that “we don’t have leaders that can coordinate the exploration of the opportunities and take us to the promised land.”
He added that it’s possible to transform Nigeria if individuals can patriotically contribute their quoters. Individuals and collective efforts can take Nigeria to the promised land.
Engr Sanusi then charged the government to create an enabling environment for business to thrive in the country.
The Ilaji Hotels and Resort boss disclosed his readiness to work with the Western Zone the NANTA to improve a lot of the Tourism industry in Oyo State.
