The Lagos State Government has unveiled a detailed masterplan that would engender an all-round development of the State tourism sector for the next 10 years.
The document, which covers all the sectors of the tourism and entertainment industry, was recently unveiled by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharmacist (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf at Alausa, when the papers were presented to the representatives of the industry’s professionals for their inputs.
She explained that the involvement of the stakeholders in the State government’s tourism masterplan was a testimonial to the government of inclusion being championed by the present administration, revealing that the document provides for a unified and enabling framework for promoting, tracking and improving tourism in the State.
The Commissioner averred that more than ever before, the present state of tourism businesses globally provides an opportunity for Lagos to develop and make tourism more inviting and attractive to its local tourists.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku, in his remarks, assured that the policy document will put Lagos in good stead to build a thriving and prosperous tourism destination in Africa.
He said, “This, as a matter of fact, has become compulsory, as States in the Federation must be innovative in exploring and exploiting every source of revenue at their disposal considering the drastic lull in the international oil market and the fatal economic consequences for mono-economic nations like Nigeria”.
Olaide-Mesewaku, however, pleaded with the tourism stakeholders to carefully examine the contents of the document and make necessary observations with a view to advising the government appropriately, while also taking ownership of the Tourism Masterplan.
At the presentation of the tourism document were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu; the Senior Special Assistant on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Tunji Seymour; the Director of Tourism Promotion, Mrs. Adanma Oni and the President of Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, FTAN, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Gbenga Sunmonu, who led other stakeholders to the presentation ceremony.
