Tourism: FTAN restates commitment on private, public sectors synergy

Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, FTAN, has emphasized the necessity of effective cooperation between public and private sectors in tourism development and promotion, adding that time is ripe for representatives of both public and private sector to consider cooperation as a necessary step towards the quick recovery of the tourism industry in the post-covid-19 pandemic era.

Delta State Coordinator of Federation, Tourism Associations of Nigeria FTAN Evelyn Gbesoko, who stated this when she paid an unscheduled visit to the Acting Registrar, International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Yenagoa, Dr Ovienadu Torutein in his office at the institute on Monday described tourism as a major industry.

“Tourism is vital to the local and state economy. Tourism is far more than just hotels, golf courses and restaurants. Tourism is supposed to boost our economy, employ thousands of people, enrich our businesses and pay for important public services, such as education and law enforcement.”Gbesoko, observed that effective strategy and collaboration between the private sector entrepreneurs and relevant government agencies such as ministries, local authorities and other stakeholders will provide a better flow of information among all cooperation partners, thereby resulting in more successful and close cooperation in the tourism industry.
Meanwhile, she commended Bayelsa State Government for establishment of the institute. She also noted that effective cooperation among stakeholders in tourism would create a sustainable tourism policy, which is capable of creating an optimum environment for entrepreneurship and new tourism products to thrive in the destination.

Responding, Registrar of International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Yenagoa, Dr. Ovienadu Torutein said the institute was established as a monotechnic in 2012, through a Bill in the Bayelsa the State House of Assembly, informing that the Institute serves as a centre of excellence for education, training, teaching, research, consultancy and publication on travel, tourism, hotel management, catering, hospitality, culture, entertainment and other related areas.

According to Dr Torutein, the primary mission of the institute is to become a world-class professional manpower training the institution, for the emerging tourism and hospitality sector.