Tourism is one sector of the Nigerian economy that has
suffered neglect over the years due to the shortsightedness on the part of the Government
and people at the helm of affairs. The sector is one of the many others that
have remained underdeveloped after the discovery of Oil in commercial quantity.
The discovery of Oil automatically crippled every other
sector of the economy given to the fact that the amount of revenue generated
from that sector alone is greater than the total revenue produced by all the
other sectors put together, this made the government to abandon all other
sectors of the economy to concentrate more on the sector that it has
comparative advantage over. Other factors militating against the development of
tourism in Nigeria
include:
The poor infrastructural facilities, that has made
communication and traveling impossible.
There is the security problem that has become a source of
worry not only to the citizens but tourist alike, cases of armed robbery
attacks, in the major cities and the kidnapping of foreigners by some criminals;
who feign militants have become a daily occurrence.
The restriction of tourist from smoking cigarette and
consumption of alcohol by the application of Islamic Laws (Sharia) in
some Northern States like: Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano
and so on where hoteliers and their guests are often harassed and attacked by
Muslim fundamentalist all in the name of forcefully implementing the Sharia
Legal system, which most often lead to fatal crisis between the minority
Christian and the Muslim majority. This situation has also marred efforts to attract
visitors
Nigeria is blessed
with so many natural features coupled with natural asset which are of universal
recognition. The socio cultural difference of the 250 ethnic groups
that makes up the country has contributed to the richness of the diversity of
the Nigerian culture. Nigeria
can be counted as one richly endowed potential tourist destination in the world
not minding the fact that her tourism potential has not been fully utilized for
its economic gains. If authority concerned could co-ordinate all the tourist attractions
in the country and invest heavily in the sector it would lead to a systematic
transformation of the comatose tourism sector.
The money in tourism is enormous if well harnessed, it could sustain the
economy of the nation and reduce the total dependency on Oil. It is a known
fact that the Crude Oil would dry up someday, a well developed Tourism sector
could turn out to be the nation’s second largest foreign exchange earner after
Oil.
Also, festivals could
be used to attract tourist to the country thereby boosting the nation’s foreign
earning. Festivals like: the Osun Osogbo, Agrungun International Fishing
Festival in Kebbi State,
Olokun Festival in Badagary, Lagos State, Igogo Festival in Owo, Ondo
State, Eyo Festival in Lagos state, New Yam
Festival in the South-South states and many others. One notable thing is
that Nigeria
is so blessed in all aspect of Tourism : cultural, Ecological, Food,
Religion and Sports Tourism. If all
these are well harnessed coupled with a conducive environment for both
indigenes and foreign investors, Nigeria could become an economic
giant through tourism. Countries like Ghana
with a population of about 30.7 million people make about 10million Dollars annually
through tourism. South
Africa with a population of 58.6
million people make about 47billion Pounds ( U.N statistics 2006)
. One aspect of the industry in Africa that is yet untouched is the Nigeria varied
and pleasing landscape, abundant and diverse wildlife: Baboons, Leopards, Hyenas, Elephants,
Antelopes and similar other species
of animals can easily be found in the nation’s wildlife reserves. Parks are
integral Part of tourism and the nation can boast of 8 wild life parks dotted
across it geographical enclave: Okunu
National Park, Edo State
. Chad Basin National Park Borno State,
Kanji National Park, Kwara State, Kamuku National Park, Kaduna State,
Yankari National Park, Bunchi State,
Gashaha Gumit National Park, Adamawa State, Cross River National Park,
Cross and Old Oyo National Park, Oyo
State.
Museum like parks are also integral to tourism, because it
involves promotions and marketing; they are places of interest that is shown to
Foreigner to come and spend their money. The potential role of the tourism sector
as a major instrument for Social, Economic and Political development can not be
overemphasis, and can not be realized unless the numerous tourist attractions
are well developed, packaged and promoted with diligent attention to the
security and welfare of the visitors.
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