Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), in Akwa Ibom State, has underscored the need for alternative sources of revenue generation, rather than over-dependence on the oil cash from the federation account, pointing out that the tourism sector holds the key, if properly developed.
He urged the outgoing governor Udom Emmanuel to give assent to two tourism bills passed by the State House of Assembly, before his exit on May 29, the association noted that non-oil exports could complement the statutory cash for more developments in the state.
The House of Assembly had passed two bills bothering on development of tourism heritage sites and another bill to give legal backing to the Hotels Management And Tourism Board, to generate revenue within the sector in the state.
Addressing journalists in Uyo, the state capital, the FTAN, coordinator, Mr. Joseph Umoh, said “the two bills if signed into law will empower the association and the State Hotels Management and Tourism Board, to implement the tripartite memorandum of understanding, (MoU) signed by the FTAN, the Board and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), on how to regulate tourism sector in line with international best practices.”
He said, “Though I have not seen the final copy of the bill sent to the governor for assent, I want to believe that our points as were articulated during the memorandum session in the House of Assembly have been incorporated into the bill.
“We looked at the bill holistically and agreed on those elements that will work favourably for the tourism sector. And we agreed that there is no way you can develop tourism independently without taking the travels and tour sector along.
“The need to develop tourism sites in the state started since 2020 . We sat down with the state Tourism Board and examined the professional sector and analyse how the bill would work .
“We made our opinion known as we appeared before the state House of Assembly and presented our MoU before the bill was sent to Governor Udom Emmanuel.
“Every government has a duty to empower its tourism board to generate funds. This would reduce the state financial commitment. It will also provide employment while the tourism sector will develop rapidly.”
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