The President of Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) Hajia Bolaji Mustapha has said her association’s decision to open an ultra- modern national secretariat in Lagos was not just to consolidate NATOP’s position as a leading player in the Nigerian travel and tourism industry, but to offer members, especially from outside Lagos, a conducive out-station work environment to hold meeting and do their business.
Hajia Bolaji disclosed this while unveiling the programme of events for the 10 Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for Lagos from July 8 to 10. She said: “The secretariat is an apartment which is here in Lagos. The space will also be like a work station for members especially those from outside. When they come into Lagos, they would have a space to work. Or you are a member that does not have an office and you want to do some work, you can’t get your client, you can take your laptop, work in here and do your job on that. It will also be like a content hub where you can actually stay with travel backdrop to do some videos. We are actually looking for sponsors to use their products as background, different airlines that we sell.
“We’re going to have, also, a small space there, if you have a private meeting, you can have it to yourself to sit down, have a private meeting with any of your clients. So that’s one of the reasons why the secretariat is being set up.”
On the 10th AGM anniversary, the NATOP President said over the years, the association has played a significant role in promoting domestic tourism, supporting tourism entrepreneurs, and positioning Nigeria as a competitive tourism destination, so the coming AGM marks a significant milestone in the association’s journey of service, growth and contribution to Nigerian tourism industry. She said the AGM will bring together tour operators, travel professionals, government agencies, tourist investors, hospitality stakeholders, development partners and industry experts from across Nigeria and beyond. It will also provide an opportunity to review association’s achievement, discuss emerging opportunities and challenges in the tourism sector, strengthening professional network and chart a strategic course for the future of tourism development in Nigeria.
She spoke further: “The objectives of the 10th anniversary AGM is to celebrate a decade of impactful AGM in the industry leadership, promotes collaboration among tourism stakeholders, advocate for policies that support tourism growth and investment, showcase Nigerian tourism assets and destinations, empower tourism entrepreneur through knowledge sharing and networking, strengthening the role of tourism in national economic development, encourage development and encourage sustainability and responsible tourism practice and also opening our new secretariat is one of the main highlights of you know, keeping up on this stage today. So the 10th AGM is expected to further strengthen NATOP’s position as a leading voice in Nigerian tourism industry while fostering partnership that will drive innovation, investment, job creation, sustainability, tourism development nationwide. So as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of NATOP annual general meeting, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting tourism as a catalyst of economic growth, cultural preservation, youth empowerment and national development.”
