Creative Industry
NIHOTOUR – NBS’S MoU To Address Data-Gap In Hospitality, Tourism Industry-Kangiwa
Joel Ajayi
The Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Nura Sani Kangiwa has stated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Institute and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is aimed at closing the existing data-gap in the hospitality and tourism industry of the country, noting that this will further deepen statistical development of sectoral databank necessary for planning within the sector.
Kangiwa who stated this in Abuja during the signing ceremony of the MOU with the NBS, further observed that Statistics are critical to national planning, sound policy development and informed business decisions, and that because research is an integral part of NIHOTOUR’s mandate, it becomes imperative to seek partnership with NBS as an exclusive agency in verifying, approving, administering and publishing basic national statistical data for national economic and social development.
He said for NIHOTOUR to effectively carryout its mandate as a research and allied institution saddled with the responsibility of the training of manpower needs in the Hospitality and Tourism industry as well as Coordinator of the Sector Skill Council in Nigeria, the Institute has established a vibrant Research and Development Unit to conduct industry-based research and generate data for the use of the industry, noting that partnership with NBS will fast-track the duties and functions of the Unit.
While he expressed his appreciation for the positive response and prompt action of the Bureau in ensuring a comprehensive package of the MOU, Kangiwa called for better synergy, cooperation and understanding in the successful implementation of the agreement for the benefit of the two agencies in particularly in the discharge of their mandates, and for the socio-economic benefits of the country in general.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Statistician General of the Federation, Dr. Simon B. Harry, reiterated the relevance of data in policy formulation and implementation for national growth and development, assuring that NBS is prepared to work assiduously with NIHOTOUR in its efforts at addressing the dearth of accurate data in the nation’s hospitality and tourism industry.
Dr. Harry who observed that the absence of accurate data has been the bane for the abysmal performance of sectoral industrial growth and development, further noted that figures and information gathered cannot be said to be usable data until they are found to be accurate, verifiable, accessible, and available for user needs which essentially is what the Bureau intends to achieve for all sectors of the country.
He then stated that the partnership between the Bureau and NIHOTOUR is a welcome development, adding that he looks forward for more of such partnerships with other Ministries, Agencies and Departments in the public sector as well as the Organized Private Sector for the general and overall growth and development of the country.
Management staff of both Agencies who were at hand to witness the signing ceremony of the MOU, expressed happiness for the synergy saying it will improve Inter-Ministerial, Department and Agency relations of the public sector of the country.
Creative Industry
FG Backs MyCityApp Launch of 100-Day Tourism Calendar to Drive $100bn Economic Growth
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government has thrown its weight behind the launch of MyCityApp, a Nigerian city discovery and tourism platform designed to aggregate festivals, concerts, cultural events and lifestyle experiences into a single digital calendar.
The platform, which flags off the 100-Day Tourism Calendar, was unveiled on Monday at the Ember2Remember National Stakeholders’ Conference in Victoria Island, Lagos, with the initiative targeting Nigeria’s estimated $100 billion tourism and creative economy opportunity.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Media and Publicity Adviser to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the ministry said the conference was aimed at mobilising public and private stakeholders to transform the September-to-December festive period into jobs, investment and economic growth.
Speaking at the unveiling, the Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, said millions of visitors travel across Nigeria every year to celebrate, reconnect and experience the country’s diverse culture, stressing that the festive season could be deliberately organised and monetised to strengthen tourism’s contribution to the economy.
“This initiative is about moving beyond the traditional concept of a festive season. It is about deliberately organising, packaging, promoting, and monetising one of the most economically active periods in our national calendar,” Musawa said.
She noted that every visitor generates economic activity across several sectors, including aviation, transportation, hospitality, restaurants, entertainment, retail, technology, artisans and local communities.
The Minister commended MyCityApp Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Ifeoma Chukwu, for her vision and commitment to the initiative.
She urged state governments, event organisers, tourism operators, hospitality businesses and other stakeholders to list their festivals, concerts, exhibitions, food experiences, cultural celebrations, fashion and sporting events on the national calendar.
Musawa said the platform would enable Nigerians, members of the diaspora and international visitors to discover tourism and entertainment experiences across the country from a single, credible source.
Earlier, Chukwu said Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and creative sector provided enormous opportunities for tourism-driven economic growth.
She cited the contributions of tourism to the economies of countries such as Spain, France and the United States, arguing that Nigeria could equally build a $100 billion tourism economy.
Also present were Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka; Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ugochi Madueke; NCAC Director-General, Obi Asika; National Gallery of Art Director-General, Ahmed Sodangi; ARCON Director-General, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo; and MTN Nigeria CEO, Dr Karl Toriola.
MyLagosApp and MyCityApp will serve as the digital engines of the calendar, distributing events through a 360-degree media ecosystem to audiences in Nigeria and the diaspora.
Stakeholders were encouraged to upload their events on MyCityApp to participate in the national tourism calendar urging them to upload events on http://www.MyCityApp.io.
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