The Chairman of the Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (TSSCN) and Special Adviser to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Tourism, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, has called on tour operators in to imbibe the culture of responsible tourism while building Nigeria as a tourist destination. Onung gave this advice while speaking at the 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) in Lagos.
Onung, who is also the Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman of the NATOP, told the tour operators that they are the backbone of the tourism value chain who serve as the bridge between the traveller and the destination, and as such, are ambassadors of Nigeria, urging them to curate experiences that leave pleasant and lasting memories in the minds of tourists.
Speaking on the theme of the AGM “Unlocking Nigeria’s Tourism Potential: Strengthening Tour Operators for Sustainable”, the TSSCN chairman advised the tour operators: “Tour operators are the backbone of the tourism value chain. We are the bridge between the traveller and the destination. We curate experiences, manage logistics, ensure safety, and create memories. More importantly, we are ambassadors of our nation.
“As we gather here today, I urge every member to reflect on the critical role we play. The quality of our services, the professionalism of our operations, and our commitment to sustainability will determine whether Nigeria becomes a preferred tourist destination or remains a footnote in global tourism conversations.
“We must move beyond transactional relationships and embrace a long-term vision that prioritizes destination stewardship, community engagement, and environmental responsibility.”
Onung, who is the immediate President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), also drew the attention of tourism stakeholders to the current efforts of the Akwa Ibom State government to develop tourism in the state with describing the Arise Palm Resort. He described the resort as one of Nigeria’s biggest tourism project and is scheduled for commissioning in September by the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
Onung said the landmark project will redefine leisure, hospitality and conference tourism in Nigeria and the West African sub-region. He spoke further: “In the coming months, precisely in September as announced by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the world-class Arise Palm Resort will be commissioned. This 70-hectare luxury tourism and hospitality hub, located in Uyo, is a remarkable transformation of a reclaimed gully erosion site into a masterpiece of modern tourism infrastructure. The resort features an artificial lake with floating bars, a 9-hole golf course, a 1,500-capacity banquet hall, luxury villas, and world-class sports complexes.
“For us as tour operators, this presents another significant opportunity – a new destination to package, promote, and integrate into our tour offerings. I encourage every member to visit, explore, and position your businesses to benefit from this landmark development.”
He stressed that Nigeria possesses all the ingredients of a leading global tourism destination but has continued to under-perform because of fragmented efforts across the industry.
“Africa has recorded one of the fastest tourism recovery rates in recent years, yet Nigeria has not fully translated its rich cultural heritage, diverse attractions and warm hospitality into sustainable growth,” he said.
“The challenge is not a lack of demand. Nigeria has demand in abundance. The real issue is orchestration. We must move beyond fragmented travel experiences and build a unified tourism product capable of competing globally.”
