Minister, Others Advocate Technology, Innovation To Boost Hospitality Sector

The minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John has said that Nigeria will continue to leverage technology to showcase the country’s cultural diversity and natural wonders to visitors worldwide.

She also said that innovative hospitality is not a luxury but remains the cornerstone of Nigeria’s tourism culture. The Minister who was represented by her SA on Policy, Jibike Teniola, disclosed this at the 2024 Hotel Expo Nigeria (HEN) held in Lagos, yesterday.

She wants the country to be envisioned as a land of untapped potential, rich traditions and a people eager to share their warmth with the world.

She said: “Nigeria offers a world of experiences. We are not just opening our doors to visitors, we are reimagining how they can step through them. Innovative hospitality is not a luxury, it’s the cornerstone of Nigeria’s tourism culture.

Also, the special advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General on Tourism, Lai Mohammed emphasised the crucial need for harmonious collaboration within Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism value chain.

Mohammed’s call to action is geared towards propelling Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector towards sustainable growth, enhanced competitiveness, and global acclaim.

The special advisor, as a guest at the 2024 Hotel Expo Nigeria (HEN), delivered a keynote address titled ‘The CITIS Approach to Resilience and Excellence in African Hospitality: A comprehensive strategy for the future’.

Mohammed who was the former minister of Information and Culture, said that one of the major issues of hospitality, and tourism in Nigeria is the issue of collaboration within the tourism value chain.

In his opening remarks, the convener, HEN, Joe Hanson said the conference aimed to take the bull by the horns to promote Nigeria and the African hospitality sector, as well as our tourism, which is our pride.

According to him, there can be no tourism without hospitality. Because hospitality is the bedrock of tourism. If you doubt it, go and take a look at the edifices that Nigeria owns. No matter how beautiful they are, if it is not welcoming, if it smells, if it doesn’t have a good partnership to sustain it, tourism will continue to remain moribund.