The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) and the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) have urged entrepreneurs in the South-East to exploit the business potentials of tourism.
The Enugu State Chairperson of NANTA, Mrs Chioma Obi, made the call on Sunday during a press briefing announcing the conclusion of arrangements for a two-day tourism workshop for budding and potential tourism entrepreneurs in Enugu State.
Obi said that the workshop, which would hold between Nov 28 and Nov.29 at ECCIMA Hall, Enugu, would foster understanding of tourism as a business and boost its business and entrepreneurship potentials In South-East.
She said that the workshop, which is meant to attract tourism professionals and entrepreneurs from all over the country, is being organised by Jands Travel Business School in collaboration with ECCIMA and NANTA.
Obi, a Convener of the workshop, said that the workshop themed: “Exploring a Synergy to Boost Business and Entrepreneurship”, had been endorsed by Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke and Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA).
She urged members of the public to join industry experts, entrepreneurs and key players in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector for the insightful event, filled with networking, learning, cultural displays and opportunities to boost domestic tourism in the South-East.
“Come and explore ways to grow your business through tourism. Connect with professionals and entrepreneurs. Discover ways to make profit from selling Nigerian tour packages and explore the future of tourism in Nigeria,” she added.
According to her, attendance is free, but registration is compulsory; using the link: https://bit.ly/JTBStourismworkshop.
Speaking, ECCIMA’s President, Chief Odeiga Jideonwu, said that ECCIMA is driven by the vision of the state government to grow the state’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion and collaborating with organizations that had programmes that would promote businesses.
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Jideonwu said, “We have seen that hosting thousands of visitors for such an event in the South-East and Enugu will bring significant commercial benefits to our dear state, Enugu State. The hospitality industry in the state remains a major beneficiary.
“Such events also stimulate the hospitality and tourism sectors, encouraging future events and boosting Enugu State reputation as a key destination for investment.
“This economic activity translates to higher revenues for the government as well as increased employment opportunities in the state.
“Lastly, the workshop, I feel, will unveil the hidden opportunities in the tourism subsector of the South-East. We hope that the workshop will lead to the development of new tourist sites and potentials.. This will also boost the state GDP if finally achieved.”
In corroborating, NANTA National President, Mr Olayinka Folami, said the workshop is apt and timely, adding it would help to explore ways to grow business through tourism in the country.
“The expectations from the workshop include robust deliberations that will stimulate the hospitality and tourism sectors in the country,” Folami said.
Expected speakers at the event included: Chief Ben Etiaba (Principal Partner, Ben Etiaba & Co. Chartered Accountants) and Mrs Patricia Igwebuike (Commissioner for Transportation, Anambra State) among others.
