CANDIDATES atall levels ofgovernance, in the forthcoming April general election and their parties are now moving from one community to another (local government to local government and state to state, as the case may be), trying to get the support of the electorates.Their promises, which include reducing soaring corruption in the country, providing stable electricity, security of lives and property and employment opportunities, among other basic necessities of life to the people in the country, if sincerely and religiously executed, will better the lots of Nigerians.However, no definite statement has hitherto been made by any of the candidates about developing tourism potentialities in the country, which is highly potent in ensuring the expected sustainable development. They have been placing undue emphasis on the end, neglecting the means to the end. Perhaps the low emphasis placed on the development of the tourism sector in the country could be linked to the level of the candidates knowledge of the developmental potency of the money-spinning sector.Suffice it to say that many of the candidates in the election are oblivious of the fact that if tourism is well understood, embraced and exploited by the people in government, all the basic necessities of life, which they are laying emphasis on will simply fall in place, and their quest to develop the nation will be speedily achieved.The electioneering promises to combat corruption, ensure good road networks, instigate security of lives and property of the people in the country, make electricity and water supply more stable, among others, will provide a ground for tourism to thrive. But the absence of tourism development in their plans will deny the sector the expected result, because the tourism ministry and other parastatals will be starved of adequate fund and support, which will incapacitate it from discharging its duty to the country.Hence, if the principal interest of the candidates and parties in the forthcoming general election is to effect the long overdue development of the country, then there is the need for them to seek, first, the promotion and development of Nigerias tourism industry, and all other things, which are instrumental to the development of the nation will follow.The candidates should make a clear and definite statement on their plans for the tourism sector in the country, so that tourism stakeholders can be clear about about the fate of the industry in the country in the next four years. The ignorance of the past administrations in Nigeria has subjected the viable tourism potentialities in the country to undue destruction.It is of note that no country with the dire desire to develop and promote tourism lacks the availability of the basic infrastructural facilities and security of lives and property of the people in the country.Hence, to ensure sustainable development in the country, the candidates in the forthcoming general election should review their plans and agenda, and not only incorporate tourism development, but also priotise it.The world over, tourism is recognised as the engine of growth and a huge foreign exchange earner. As a foreign exchange earner, it accounts for over 10 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This marks tourism out as a major player and catalyst for sustainable development. Most countries make huge investments in the tourism industry because of its potential to create job opportunities, improve local livelihoods, encourage economic growth and alleviate poverty. Tourism is most advantageous because it is a renewable source of revenue, and is capable of generating incentives for conservation of natural and cultural assets.Economically, tourism is labour- intensive, offering many opportunities for both skilled and semi-skilled. In Ghana, for instance, tourism provides direct employment in accommodation, restaurant, tour and travel operations.It also provides indirect employment in the tourism supplying sector, such as agriculture, craft production and transport.Also, additional employment is induced through local spending. Apart from contributions to government revenue fees and levies, licensed fees paid by hotels, restaurants, tour and travels operators, and casinos, tourism facilitates in general development in the area of accommodation, transportation, telecommunication and road network. A range of other activities are stimulated by tourism development, such as agriculture, manufacturing, high technology and communication. Tourism encourages small and medium-sized businesses, which in turn help to generate service and entrepreneurial skills.Socially, tourism improves the living standards of the local people and helps in the improvement of the communitys facilities and services. It also helps to conserve the cultural heritage of an area, which otherwise might be as a result of the urban-industrial complex. Tourism contributes immensely to the development and maintainance of museums, theatres and other cultural facilities. When this is pursued vigorously, it renews the spirit of communal existence through the appreciation of the culture of the host communities, especially during festivals. On a global scale, tourism provides the opportunity for cross-cultural exchanges between tourists and residents who learn about and come to respect one anothers culture.Nigeria is blessed in virtually all the aspects of tourism, natural, man-made, historical and cultural, to mention a few. It is high time the promotion and development of tourism is priotised in the agenda of the nation and those at the helms of affairs. It is this that will accelerate the transition of the country into its desired promised land and afford its good people more reason to stay therein.
Click here to read full news..
