United Nations World Tourism Group (UNWTO) Connects Tourism and Tradition in Nigeria

Held in Lagos, Nigeria, the primary UNWTO International Convention on Linking Tourism, Tradition and Inventive Industries, celebrated the shut ties between the 2 main sectors. Round 40% of all vacationers cite tradition as the primary motivation for travelling, and UNWTO is main the way in which in bridging the 2 areas, together with by strategic partnerships with Affiliate Members akin to Netflix.

Opening the occasion, UNWTO Secretary-Basic Zurab Pololikashvili advised delegates: “The fortunes of tourism and tradition are intently linked. When one thrives, the opposite does too.” He urged the private and non-private sectors to work collectively to create first rate jobs, develop investments and embrace innovation and digital transformation.

The fortunes of tourism and tradition are intently linked. When one thrives, the opposite does too.

Tourism and tradition ‘within the highlight’

Representing the Authorities of Nigeria, Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo addressed the Convention, stating: “Our need to diversify our financial system and discover different sustainable sources of income has led us to rank the tourism, tradition and the inventive sector among the many precedence sectors of the financial system. Particularly, tourism has been acknowledged for its resilience and dynamism.” The Vide President additionally highlighted the skill of music to function a “world language”, bringing folks collectively and permitting them to study extra concerning the “tradition and concepts” of others.

Nigeria’s Minister of Tourism, Lai Mohammed, added: “In the present day, greater than ever, tourism and the inventive trade, on account of their financial viability, are within the world highlight and have their place on the forefront of nationwide and worldwide growth agenda.”

In addition to assembly with the Vice President and the Minister of Tourism, UNWTO Secretary-Basic Pololikashvili met with the Governor of Lagos, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to discover new methods of harnessing the ability of tradition and tourism to create jobs and enterprise alternatives and to drive inclusive growth, each in Nigeria and throughout Africa. On the sidelines of the Convention, the Secretary-Basic additionally met with Aliko Dangote, a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who has served as a UNWTO Ambassador since 2018.

Investments, youth empowerment and gastronomy

The 2-day Convention centered on a number of of UNWTO’s key strategic targets, most notably youth empowerment and boosting investments in tourism. On the primary day, UNWTO hosted a particular interactive session with youth from throughout Nigeria, fulfilling the commitments made within the Sorrento Name to Motion to make younger folks lively members in decision-making within the sector. Additionally in Lagos, a panel dialogue on Stimulating the Inventive Industries for Social Entrepreneurship centered on the significance of supporting MSMEs and innovators in an effort to improve competitiveness throughout the tourism sector.

Towards the backdrop of the International Convention on Linking Tourism, Tradition and Inventive Industries, UNWTO celebrated the richness of African gastronomy, a rising drive throughout the continent’s tourism sector. A “Flavors of the World” exhibition showcased the easiest culinary expertise, and native gastronomy star Chef Coco Reinarhz joined a workshop and panel dialogue centered on realizing the potential of gastronomy tourism to develop locations and drive inclusive and sustainable growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Tourism Group (UNWTO).