Akinboboye to Tinubu: It is time to make tourism competitive, competing with other sectors

… strives to maintain an independent ministry

…applauds the Minister’s commitment

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been accused of focusing on ensuring the competitiveness of tourism in Nigeria as it may compete with other sectors. This was disclosed by the Founder and Chairman of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, in an open letter he wrote to the President.

He praised the President for identifying tourism as a game-changer in the development of the country’s economy by establishing an autonomous Ministry of Tourism. He noted that this is despite a turbulent history of tourism, with previous administrations relegating it to the background while striving to maintain it in the future.

He disclosed that: “As a tourism professional with over 40 years of experience who built La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, a world-famous African tourism destination, from scratch; when you first took office, I was particularly excited when you correctly identified tourism as a possible game-changer for Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and youth employment.

“I must admit, however, that I was a little skeptical about your commitment to developing the Nigerian tourism industry based on the actions of your predecessors, all of whom at different times recognized the role of tourism in the development of our economy, but honestly did little or nothing to create the framework to enable the actual development of a viable tourism industry in Nigeria.”

However, he told the President that he changed his mind after the creation of an independent Ministry of Tourism. “This was a drastic departure from your predecessor, who, since 2015, combined responsibility for tourism with responsibility for “culture” and “national orientation,” he said.

Continuing, Akinboboye, creator of the Motherland Beckons program and promoter of the Continent Building Initiative, a vehicle through which he has made significant investments in transforming Africa into an attractive destination for global audiences, especially the diaspora, told the President that;

“The sheer scope of the mandate of the resulting ministry, in my humble opinion, ensured that the minister would not be able to effectively address the challenge of transforming Nigeria into a preferred tourism destination, which is required if we are to develop an economically beneficial tourism industry in Nigeria.

“This lack of focus therefore meant that it was not possible to capitalize on ‘our advantages’ by developing an industry that would capitalize on Nigeria’s natural features, vibrant history and the warmth and hospitality of its people.”

An incurable optimist and pragmatist, which has allowed him to transform the village of Ikegun, the host of La Campagne, into a thriving economic and tourist enclave, he noted that Nigeria is naturally endowed. Given these funds, he told the President that it was time to make tourism competitive and compete with other sectors.

“As a country, we are blessed with amazing and diverse geographical features, a rich history and a resilient people who welcome visitors. It must therefore be possible to build a tourism industry that can compete with other sectors in terms of its ability to earn foreign exchange and create jobs.

“However, to achieve this, Nigeria must create a framework that will enable the country to offer world-class tourism destinations and attractions to discerning international and domestic tourists.

“A key step on this journey is to identify the current state of existing tourism facilities, many of which are government-owned, and implement plans to transform such facilities into so-called tourism destinations.”

“In this regard, it will also include partnering with credible local investors to reach destinations that capitalize on the uniqueness of our culture and heritage.”

He further wrote: ‘In this regard, it should be noted that if you really want to attract tourists, you cannot simply offer a geographical element (tourism site); for example a waterfall. It needs to be surrounded by things that encourage tourists to stay and spend time, e.g. accommodation, restaurants, sports activities, local crafts.

“It is at this stage that the facility can be included in tour packages that can be promoted to local and international tourists as they offer more of an experience than simply viewing a different, albeit beautiful, waterfall.”

Akinboboye further advised that “it is unwise to call on foreign investors to develop the sector as such investors will only seek to replicate what is available elsewhere.” This will unintentionally reduce the uniqueness of the Nigerian experience and the interest of the tourist as he can easily experience such facilities elsewhere or even at home.”

He also advised the President not to make hasty decisions to merge or liquidate the ministry, as the task before him could not be accomplished within a year as it was quite huge.

According to him: “Given the relative youth of the Ministry and its leadership, as well as the multitude of potential tourism destinations in Nigeria, in my opinion the preparatory work required to make Nigeria a preferred tourist destination is not something that can be achieved in less than a year.

In light of the above, Akinboboye noted, “therefore, any assessment of the Ministry of Tourism under its current leadership should take this fact into account. The government should also not hastily decide to merge the ministry with any other ministry as this will result in a loss of the focus required to build a viable and economically viable tourism industry in Nigeria.

“I think it is important to mention at this stage that I am impressed by the fact that after taking the bold step to create a stand-alone Ministry of Tourism, you have subsequently taken steps to appoint a young and business-minded person as director of the Ministry.”

He expressed delight at the commitment that the Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John and her team have shown in carrying out their duties, saying: “I am particularly impressed by the fact that she and her team are visiting existing tourist sites and getting a first-hand impression of about what needs to be done to transform them into tourist destinations.

“It’s clear from our conversations that he has the passion to push the Ministry in the direction it needs to go. “I hope he realizes that while most of our tourist facilities are government-owned, it will be cheaper and more profitable for the government to turn them into tourist resorts in partnership with the private sector.”

However, he noted that he was not being condescending towards the Minister by praising her, but rather sharing his opinion as expected.

“I would like to emphasize that my comments on the Minister are simply developed in response to your request for Nigerians to provide feedback on your ministerial appointees.”

Finally, he offered any assistance in developing the sector, which had been his forte for four decades. “As a patriotic Nigerian who has spent his life building tourism in Nigeria and who does not limit his efforts to mere words, I am excited and ready to contribute to driving exponential and exponential growth in our tourism sector, Akinboboye stated.