No fewer than 500 delegates from 51 African countries, international organisations will attend the 61st meeting of United Nations World Tourism Organisation Commission for Africa, scheduled for Abuja in June.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the planning committee for the hosting of the African Tourism Ministers.
Mohammed said that the delegates would also include the Executives of the UNWTO, experts, stakeholders from the public and private sector as well as local and international media.
He said: “It is also gratifying to note that the newly-elected Secretary-General of the UNWTO, Mr Zurab Pololikashvili, who assumed office in Jan.
2018, will be making his debut at the CAF in Nigeria.’’
The minister said the meeting with the theme, “Tourism Statistics: A Catalyst for Development’’ would hold from June 4 to June 6 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Mohammed said that the meeting would help to project Nigeria’s image as a safe and desirable destination for leisure and business and promote the country’s tourism products and services.
He said the meeting would consolidate on the ongoing technical assistance by the UNWTO in implementation of the Nigeria Tourism Development Master Plan.
The minister said that the meeting would provide a platform for tourism stakeholders to interact with their counterparts from other countries.
He said the country would generate foreign exchange through accommodation in hotels, airfares and souvenirs purchased by foreign delegates.
Mohammed said that it would also create direct and indirect employment, as well as offer training opportunities for public and private sector tourism officials.
He recalled that Nigeria was unanimously awarded the hosting right for the meeting in April 2016, during the 59th meeting of the UNWTO/CAF in Addis Ababa.
He said: “This clearly demonstrates the confidence of the member states and the UNWTO in Nigeria.
“The highlight of Nigeria’s relevance and acceptance by the organisation, within two years of its return after a period of absence, was further shown in my election as a Vice-Chairman of the UNWTO General Assembly.
“The election was held during the 22nd session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu, China, in Sept. 2017.’’
Mohammed charged members of the committee, to be chaired by him, to bring to bear their knowledge and expertise in content, logistics and planning to execute a successful event.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the committee members were drawn from the ministry, relevant parastatals, agencies of the ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FCT and the media.
Trending
- Minister summons Lead British International School over bullying allegation
- Sex scandal : We won’t oppose any sanction against lecturer -UNN-ASUU
- Sanwo-Olu unveils EKO CARES
- UNN suspends lecturer for alleged sexual misconduct, begins probe
- Oyo LG honours Archbishop Ladigbolu, names road after late father, Akee Obayanritan
- Kogi Assembly blasts EFCC, demands removal of ‘wanted’ from Yahaya Bello’s name
- Zamfara: Passengers overpower bandits, kill one, seize two AK-47 rifles
- Aston Villa confirm new Unai Emery contract until 2027