Expo unlocks tourism investment with 15,000 participants

Ahead of the festival period, Migbaci Expo has announced plans to attract over 15,000 exhibitors to converge for a major cultural and tourism exhibition in Lagos. The three-day exhibition scheduled for December 11th to 13th is expected to bring together stakeholders from the country and abroad under the theme: “Imperative of Tourism to National Development.” […]

Ahead of the festival period, Migbaci Expo has announced plans to attract over 15,000 exhibitors to converge for a major cultural and tourism exhibition in Lagos.

The three-day exhibition scheduled for December 11th to 13th is expected to bring together stakeholders from the country and abroad under the theme: “Imperative of Tourism to National Development.”

Speaking during a press briefing, Migbaci Expo CEO Akinwale Alabi stressed the need for deliberate government investment to revive Nigeria’s tourism industry, saying it would boost the country’s economy.

Alabi highlighted tourism’s significant role in national development, citing its contributions to economic growth, job creation, infrastructure development, and cultural preservation.

He noted that a thriving tourism sector could lead to increased investments in essential infrastructure such as airports, railways, roads, hotels, and recreational facilities, which would create thousands of jobs and generate substantial foreign exchange from visitors.

Alabi underscored tourism’s potential to promote sustainable development through environmentally friendly practices, conservation of natural resources, and the promotion of cultural heritage.

The upcoming exhibition, he said, aims to reshape perceptions, stimulate economic activity, and establish a roadmap for sustainable tourism development in Nigeria.

“Tourism is the way to go. That is why we are hosting this event — to open eyes to what Nigeria has and what we’re failing to harness,” he said.

He compared Nigeria’s tourism potential to that of Zanzibar in Tanzania, which reportedly earns 80 per cent of its foreign exchange from tourism and 27 per cent of its GDP.

Alabi pointed to Badagry as an example of a Nigerian destination that could surpass such benchmarks if properly developed.

He called for intentional efforts toward tourism development, citing Rwanda’s global attention through sponsorship of the English Premier League as a contrast to Nigeria’s underutilised investments like the Tinapa Resort in Cross River State.

Alabi praised the Lagos State Government for actively identifying and investing in the sector in collaboration with the private sector, saying the state government has given the event its full support.