A tourism and hospitality expert and founder of ComeMekeWeGo Tourism Africa Foundation, Chief Atabo David, has identified possible ways for the Kogi State government and Nigeria as a nation to convert untapped potential in the tourism and hospitality sector, to revenue for development.

Chief Atabo, who highlighted some hindering factors challenging the sector to include; poor infrastructure, insecurity, lack of startup funding, inadequate regulation, low awareness, negative perception, and weak collaboration among stakeholders, stated that the “country boasts a rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and a vibrant arts scene, all of which can attract tourists from around the globe.”
Photo: Chief Atabo David donating dozens of Tourism Education textbooks and the National Tourism Education Curriculum to CMML Secondary School in Anyigba, Kogi State.

According to him, Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sector is brimming with untapped potential. The Kogi-born urged both the federal government and Kogi state to look into investments in infrastructure development, including transportation networks, accommodation facilities, and tourism attractions, and improving security.

“They can also enact and enforce appropriate policies and regulations that will ensure quality standards, ethical practices, and environmental protection in the sector.

“They can create more awareness and a positive image of Nigeria as a tourism destination through effective marketing and branding strategies. As well as foster stronger collaboration and coordination among all the stakeholders in the sector to achieve common goals and objectives,” he added.

Continuing, Chief Atabo spoke on his foundation’s vision to promote tourism and hospitality education, awareness, and development in Africa. He further expressed his commitment to empowering youths of Kogi state with necessary skills to become tourism and hospitality professionals, noting that “tourism requires skilled and knowledgeable professionals who can manage the resources, deliver quality services, create innovative products, and ensure customer satisfaction.”