NTDC to Focus on Domestic Tourism with Tour Nigeria

Demola Ojo

The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mr. Folorunsho Folarin-Coker has dropped hints on plans to stimulate domestic tourism using the tagline Tour Nigeria. Coker made these assertions during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of NDDC, Senator (Chief) Victor Ndoma-Egba in Abuja recently.

The NTDC boss said that it was necessary to redefine the tourism sector by giving it a brand identity that is easy to sell in order to stimulate economic growth as well as repositioning the Nigerian tourism industry.

“There is need to redefine the tourism sector in Nigeria, we need to start within our domain, focusing on consumption of our assets, promotion and development of domestic tourism, which will have multiple effects on job creation and poverty alleviation while strengthening GDP and our currency. Everyone in the value chain of tourism must work together and be ready to drive the market with a new brand Tour Nigeria.” he said.

This is as he expressed his commitment to partner with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure a quick intervention on some tourism assets while leveraging on strategic projects in the South South region of the country bearing in mind that all the assets are domiciled in the State and Local government areas.

The NTDC boss, who called for a conscious investment in the promotion of domestic tourism, described Nigeria as a tourism market, with a vibrant and dynamic business environment.

Coker, in his words said “one of my strategic imperatives is to bring all stakeholders under one umbrella to sell a single all-inclusive tour package for Nigerians. We need to package tourism in a simple manner that the average Nigerian can use. If we don’t package it well, individuals cannot take advantage of it. Nigerians will understand the product better, because they are a most critical audience and will demand better value for their money,” he said.

In his response, the Chairman NDDC, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba heartily congratulated the DG NTDC on his appointment, given his exploits in Lagos State Tourism Ministry.

“We are very happy that you are at the helm of affairs at NTDC. We are very proud of what you did in Lagos State, you are on a bigger stage now and we expect you to make a difference in the tourism sector as you did in Lagos.” he said.

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