A likely boost awaits Plateau’s tourism industry

Last week, Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong declared a State of Emergency on the state’s tourism sector saying it will enable his administration give the desired attention to the speedy development of the industry. Lalong had also made it clear that no responsible government can afford to let the economic potentials of the tourism […]

Last week, Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong declared a State of Emergency on the state’s tourism sector saying it will enable his administration give the desired attention to the speedy development of the industry. Lalong had also made it clear that no responsible government can afford to let the economic potentials of the tourism and travel industry remain fallow, adding that it underscores the new focus of his administration.

The Governor’s declaration excited various stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality industry who converged on the Plateau for the maiden tourism conference in Jos with the theme – ‘Unlocking the Vast Potentials of Tourism as a Financial Option for Sustainable Socio-economic Development.’

Governor Lalong had explained that the conference was significant in developing the state’s tourism endowments especially as it could stimulate understanding and support efforts towards building a culture of peace which is very critical in the development process. He also called for an inclusive and participatory tourism development roadmap that would involve communities through their development associations, local government councils, the state government and private sector.

The maiden edition of the conference was aimed at creating a platform where stakeholders are mobilized to re-evaluate the current status of the state as the number one tourism destination in the country as well as evaluate the place of culture, hospitality, sports, entertainment, agriculture, eco-tourism, medical, educational and the media in the development of a sustainable tourism industry towards a new tourism roadmap and policy framework for the state.

Considering Plateau’s comparative advantage over other states in terms of its tourism endowments and clement weather, the only challenge standing in Lalong’s way to making Plateau a tourism haven would likely be the security strife which have over the years posed a challenge for travel and tour to thrive.

Despite the vast potential in tourism, politicians often pay lip service to the sector. The State Commissioner of Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Tamwakat Weli however said, though previous administrations have contributed their quotas to the sector, it was in the 1980’s and 1990’s under Joseph Gomwalk that tourism received a boom that led to the development of the Pandam Game Reserve, the Plateau Hotel, Jos Hotel and many others.

Weli said the most significant contribution to the state’s tourism industry in recent years has been Lalong’s commendable efforts of changing the narrative through the 2017 introduction of the annual Jos Carnival which has not only created jobs but provided an opportunity for people to come together in peace and unity and to celebrate oneness.

Lalong on his part stressed that, “mountain hiking, high altitude sports training, bird watching and others alike, which all fall within the sports and eco-tourism sectors are gaining relevance by the day and we are providing an environment that creates a conducive atmosphere for travel and tours to thrive, in addition to resuscitation efforts being put in place in our already established tourist sites within the state.”

It is hopeful that his declaration of emergency on the tourism sector may equally indicate a likely boost for the state budgetary allocation of the tourism sector. Except for 2016 when N802 million was budgeted for tourism, culture and hospitality, the industry had in 2017 received an allocation of N332.5 million and N358.9 million in 2018.

The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Runsewe who was at the event, said, with Plateau’s good weather, its blessed scenic beauty and rich culture, the state could make a difference for Nigeria the same way Dubai made a difference for United Arab Emirate (UAE). “Dubai is not the capital of UAE, Abu Dhabi is. But Dubai is servicing the seven states of UAE. Plateau can do the same,” he said.

Runsewe said culture and tourism, when promoted would earn more revenue than Nigeria’s oil which he described as exhaustible. He regretted that the country was paying lip service to a sector that could make Nigeria great and challenged the Plateau State Government to develop a tourism master plan that would guide it and stressed that culture and tourism was one sector that could reduce crime, unemployment and internal strife.

His points were given more impetus by the keynote speaker and the Managing Director, Dunira Tourism, Scotland, UK, Benjamin Carey who said Nigeria was blessed with rich heritage that could be explored for the good of the country. Carey advised the country in general and Plateau State in particular to focus on what it has, conduct a baseline survey and communicate the potentialities by working out margins for depreciation and margins for profit. He however stated that Nigeria needed to create synergies with other countries for its tourism sector to grow.

Lalong however noted that Plateau was already following that path with the appointment of members to the Board of the Plateau State Tourism Corporation in for the UK and Europe as well as USA.

He said having witnessed the World Travel Market in London which provided him the opportunity to see the potential of the travel market to connect attendees and network of tour practitioners, key industry buyers and influencers, the state government appointed members to the Board of the Plateau State Tourism Corporation adding that, the “Board of the Plateau State Tourism Corporation in London for the UK and Europe is already considering the establishment of a One-Stop-Tourism-Shop in London to cater for would-be investors to the state,” he said.

The governor admitted that the security of lives and properties in an environment of peace and peaceful coexistence was a primary concern of government stressing that, “where anarchy and chaos remains the order of the day, no meaningful development can be attained, much less the creation of tourism destinations for recreation.”

But Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Habila Joshak assured that the Police Force would provide adequate security for tourists. He stressed that Plateau State was endowed with abundant tourist sites begging to be explored.

It is now left to see what resolutions the ministry of Tourism, Culture and Hospitality would come up with as Lalong had stressed that he expects resolutions from the conference would help find the master key that will unlock the vast potentials inherent in tourism as a financing option that will accelerate the socioeconomic development of the State.