NCAC, stakeholders move to rebrand Nigeria’s culture, tourism sector

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

In order to take Nigeria culture and tourism sector to next level of success, the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Runsewe and the organised private sector in tourism have agreed to set a new agenda to rebrand Nigeria culture and tourism sector that will drive the industry in to realising its full potential.
Runsewe who is the chief advocator of the initiative made this known during an interactive session with stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry in Abuja with the theme; “Rebranding Culture and Tourism in Africa: The Nigerian Vision.”
He said, “We need to talk to ourselves in this industry on practical ways to reawaken the consciousness of Nigerians and what this industry can do grow”.
The DG alongside with his management team hadlast month undertaken a famaliarisation trip to Dubai to exposed his team to best practices on culture tourism management and to understand the country and see how his agency can work with the private sector to inspire a transformation in Nigeria.
He said Dubai only had handmade tourism destinations unlike Nigeria blessed with rich culture and tourism destinations and potential yet to be tapped.
”A new chapter has been opened,We will be rebranding culture and tourism in Nigeria and Africa. I think it’s time for us to all wake up after the trip to Dubai. We must find the solution,”
The high point of the event was the signature signing of NCAC boss and tourism stakeholders for the development, promotion and sustainability of vision.
The President of Federation of tourism association of Nigeria, Rabo Saleh lauded the DG for the initiative assured him of the support and willingness of the private sector to play a key role in this new move
Saleh stated,there is a need for enabling environment and basic infrastructure needed to be in place to achieve it.
Similarly, the President of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agency, Mr Bankole Bernard who commended the NCAC boss for vision, emphasised that, the government needs to be reminded on the importance of tourism to any country.