The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) says it is partnering with the Bwari Area Council to boost tourism in the FCT, adding that such partnership will benefit the residents.
Mrs Sally Mbanefo, the Director-General of the corporation, said this at the Bwari Tourists Village second stakeholders’ tourism conference in Abuja.
Mbanefo said that tourism remained a viable economic option for local community development.
She said that the natural environment, culture, history, buildings and institution formed the core elements tourists would want to see.
According to her, apart from economic contribution that the local communities can accrue from tourism, their involvement in tourism development can be beneficial to the society.
She said that tourism had the potential of accommodating all level of skilled and unskilled professional, and that such were in abundance in Bwari Local Council.
She said that private sectors, government, donor agencies, civil societies and local people were imperative to tourism development.
The director-general said that there was need to join hands and boost the country’s tourism potential.
She said that if decisions concerning development of tourism in a region were not made in consultation with the local communities at the designed stage, it would be impossible to make progress.
Mr Trust Ogboi, the Chief Executive Officer, International Tourist Choice, said that tourism activities had demonstrated an upward trend in number of participants and revenue.
According to him, tourism has developed into a world-wide activity that knows no political ideological, geographical or cultural boundaries.
“The future prospects for tourism are brighter than ever as people continue to travel for business or leisure.
“Tourism has become more than just another industry; it has developed into the economic foundation of many countries,” he said.
Mr Peter Yohanna, the Chairman Bwari Area Council, lauded the NTDC boss for the partnership, saying that the council would give the necessary support for the realisation of the objective.
He called on community leaders to support the project, saying that such would benefit the residents as it would help create employment for them. (NAN)
