The Federal Government is currently planning to float a Tourism Development Fund as one of the steps aimed at tackling paucity of funds inhibiting the development of the tourism sector.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Mrs. Nkechi Ejele, disclosed this to State House correspondents on Wednesday, after she briefed President Muhammadu Buhari of the ministry’s activities inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Ejele identified inadequate infrastructure, lack of funds and lack of national carrier as some of the factors inhibiting the development of tourism in the country.
She said the President had assured her that he would mainstream culture and tourism into his administration’s economic agenda.
She said, “We discussed about funding problem and the President has now advised that we should establish Tourism Development Fund to help in the growth of the sector.
“All over the world, tourism is not funded by the government. It has become unfashionable for tourism to depend on government for its funding, hence the need to develop the development fund.”
When asked when the fund would take off, Ejele said processes and procedures had to be followed.
She said it was not something that could take off immediately, saying it would take time.
The Permanent Secretary said since oil was no longer lucrative as it used to be, there was the urgent need for the diversification of the nation’s economy.
She identified one of the major ways to diversify the economy as tourism development.
The Permanent Secretary presented a number of proposals to the President, including the easing of visas for tourists and the establishment of a tourism development fund.
Buhari commended ongoing efforts by the ministry to generate more revenue through its various agencies.
He promised that his government would support the ministry’s activities.
(Punch)
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