The President, Association of Tourism Boats Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), has tasked the federal and state governments to improve on social amenities of the country so as to attract more tourists to visit the country.
Chief Dr. Ganiyu Balogun a.k.a Tarzan,
Managing Director, Gani-Tarzan Marine Enterprises Nigeria Limited stated this while speaking with journalists on Monday to celebrate 2021 World Tourism Day.
He said, aside from oil money, tourism is another goldmine of revenue for the government, adding that the two levels of government need to give impetus to the promotion of tourism.
He also pointed out that government should put three things into consideration if the Nigeria economy should be revived, which include good road network, security and stable the electricity, noting that this would attract more tourists and investors to the country.
“My own idea is that in order to develop tourism in the country, federal government should do the needful by providing good roads, stable electricity, and strengthen security of life and property. Those are the areas I think government should work on. If the three things are okay, Nigeria economy will bounce back and encourage both local and international tourists to spend their holidays in Nigeria. Once the government has put infrastructure in place, the stakeholders can work on the rest,” he stated.
ATBOWATON President also disclosed that tourism industry was veritable economic advantage that’s capable of turning things around tremendously in the country, because of its potential in bringing people from different parts of the world for tourism, stressing that both water tourism and land tourism in Nigeria could stimulate economy.
“Water tourism is moving from point A to point B, that is from land to water. In the whole world beach is the most visited tourism center, Water tourism is rich in the whole things, such as water diving, sky fallen, underwater diving and all”.
Waterways transportation has been described as one of the safest mode of transportation. Waterway transportation is a viable alternative to decongest gridlocks road transportation.
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