By Yemi Akinsuyi
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on investors to partner with the State Government in building a sustainable tourism ecosystem around the vast human capital and natural resources in Nigeria.
The Governor spoke on Monday during the Opening Ceremony of the Global Tourism Investment Summit organised by the International Tourism and Investment Conference (ITIC) at Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster, London.
The theme of the Global Tourism Investment Summit, which aims to provide fresh perspectives and insights on the future of environmentally friendly investments and the sustainability of the global tourism industry, was “The Evolving Landscape of the Hospitality Sector: Embracing Green and Sustainable Investments.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu was represented at the high-level gathering of tourism ministers, industry leaders, and developers from the tourism, travel, and hospitality sectors by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka.
Speaking as a Keynote Speaker during the morning conversations on “Tourism perspectives in the evolving global economic context,” Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke about the strides his administration has made in tourism development and the role the entire value chain in Arts, Fashion and Music Creatives has played in promoting Lagos tourism globally.
He, however, noted the room for improvement and called for investors to join in building a sustainable tourism ecosystem around the vast human capital and natural resources in Nigeria.
He said: “Our Government is very deliberate about the need to improve the tourism ecosystem in Lagos State and that’s why we carefully infused Entertainment and Tourism as a major pillar in our THEMES+ development agenda.
“We have made modest achievements in tourism, entertainment and arts since the start of the administration. We have trained thousands of youth in different areas of creative arts such as film making, animation, music production among others.
“The Government has given grants to film producers and other professionals in the ecosystem, making magic that speaks to the spirit of Lagos as the creative hub in Africa.”
According to the Chairman, International Tourism Investment Corporation Ltd., and former Secretary-General of UNWTO, Dr. Taleb Rifai, and the Group CEO & Managing Director of International Tourism Investment Corporation Ltd., Ibrahim Ayoub, Governor Sanwo-Olu was invited to the summit and honoured based on his unwavering commitment to investing in and developing Lagos State as a premier global tourism destination.
The Global Tourism Investment Summit plays a significant role in advocating for global investment in sustainable tourism projects, thereby shaping the future of the global tourism industry.
