The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has said that Nigeria was lagging in maritime tourism compared to other global economies.
In a statement, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, said this at the 6th National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo in Abuja organised by the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria in collaboration with the Ministries of Transportation, Aviation, Information and Culture.od Sweeps Away Students Annually| Punch
Jamoh commended the organisers of the event, adding that a well-managed tourism sector can contribute to sustainable development.
He said, “I must acknowledge here that tourism is one sector that Nigeria is doing very well. But unfortunately, the marine tourism component is one area where we are currently lagging behind when compared to other economies of the world. I am fascinated, and must commend the organisers of this event because a well-managed tourism sector can support conservation while contributing to sustainable development and providing income opportunities and a higher quality of life.”
Jamoh, however, called for collaboration between the tourism and maritime sectors in Nigeria.
He stated that with the enormous resources inherent in the maritime sector, the tourism industry will be an easy and low-hanging fruit for Nigeria’s economic development agenda.
Speaking on the topic “Tourism and the Development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy”, Dr Jamoh observed that investment must not necessarily involve huge materials and human capital.
(Upshotreports)