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The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has emphasized the necessity of effective cooperation between the public and private sectors in tourism development and promotion, adding that the time is ripe for representatives of both public and private sectors to consider cooperation as a necessary step towards the quick recovery of the tourism industry in the post Covid19 pandemic era.
Delta State coordinator of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mrs Evelyn Gbesoko, who stated this when she paid an unscheduled visit to the acting registrar of the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Yenagoa, Dr. Ovienadu Torutein, in his office at the institute on Monday, described tourism is a major industry.
“Tourism is vital to the local and state economy. Everyone benefits from tourism. Tourism is far more than just hotels, golf courses and restaurants. Tourism is supposed to boost our economy, employ thousands of people, enrich our businesses and pay for important public services, such as education and law enforcement. Tourism works for each and every one of us, every day,” she said.
The FTAN state coordinator observed that effective strategy and collaboration between private sector entrepreneurs and relevant government agencies such as ministries, local authorities and other stakeholders will provide a better flow of information among all cooperation partners, thereby resulting in more success and close cooperation in the tourism industry.
While commending the Bayelsa State Government on the establishment of the institute, Mrs. Gbesoko noted that effective cooperation among stakeholders in tourism is necessary to create a harmonised and sustainable tourism policy, which is capable of creating an optimum environment for entrepreneurship and for new tourism products to thrive in the destination.
Responding, registrar of International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Yenagoa, Dr. Ovienadu Torutein, said the institute was established as a monotechnic in 2012, through a bill in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, adding that the institute serves as a centre of excellence for education, training, teaching, research, consultancy and publication on travel, tourism, hotel management, catering, hospitality, culture, entertainment and other related areas.
According to Dr. Torutein, the primary mission of the institute is to become a world class professional manpower training institution for the emerging tourism and hospitality sector, providing innovative entrepreneurial skills for graduates to be self reliant and occupy leadership positions in the industry.
“Most importantly, the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality is a diploma awarding institute, offering National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Leisure and Tourism Management, Hospitality Management and Nutrition and Dietetics, regulated by the National Board for Technical Education. It is also a professional membership certification centre, like the Institute of Tourism Professionals of Nigeria,” he said.
