The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has initiated a strategic partnership with the African Travel Commission (ATC) in a renewed effort to advance tourism development across the country and the continent at large.
This development was made known during a recent meeting held at the NTDA Headquarters in Abuja, where the Executive Director of the ATC, Dr. Lucky George, led a delegation to engage with the Director Overseeing the Office of the Director-General of NTDA, Mr. Richard Ovie Esewhaye.
The meeting focused on fostering a unified approach to promote sustainable tourism growth and cultural exchange within Nigeria and across Africa. Dr. George highlighted the importance of collaboration in harnessing collective strengths, noting that such synergy was vital for repositioning the African tourism narrative.
In his remarks, Mr. Esewhaye lamented that tourism development in Nigeria has long been reduced to a cliché, with successive administrations failing to take decisive action. He, however, affirmed the present administration’s commitment to reversing that trend through deliberate and actionable strategies that prioritize tourism as a key economic driver.
Both NTDA and ATC are expected to develop joint campaigns showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and emerging travel experiences. A key component of the initiative, according to both parties, will be the engagement of the travel press to support awareness and amplify tourism narratives for a broader international audience.
Mr. Esewhaye emphasized that the collaboration holds significant promise, particularly in job creation and infrastructural development. “This partnership is a testament to our shared vision of transforming Nigeria and Africa’s tourism landscape,” he said.
The partnership is poised to reposition Nigeria as a leading destination on the African tourism map, signaling a new phase of active engagement and development within the sector.