By Charles Ajunwa
The President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Dr. Aliyu Ajayi Badaki, has canvassed for the adoption of clear-cut institutional duties, regulation {and professional} improvement, amongst, others as pathways to attracting funding and unlocking Nigeria’s tourism potential.
This is as he reiterated that FTAN, which is the umbrella physique for personal sector operators in tourism, high agenda is to be a significant voice in tourism coverage formation and implementation.
Badaki made these identified in an deal with he delivered on the ongoing twentieth International Conference and Annual General Meeting (Anambra 2026) of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria (HATMAN) holding in Awka.
Badaki declared earlier than hospitality and tourism operators, academia, traders, authorities officers and others that as FTAN, ‘‘We advocate clear institutional responsibilities, appropriate regulation, professional development, and an enabling environment that encourages investment and enterprise growth.’’
Adding: ‘‘One of FTAN’s main priorities is guaranteeing that the organised non-public sector has a significant voice in tourism coverage formulation and implementation in Nigeria.
‘‘The non-public sector drives a lot of the each day exercise inside our business. Our resorts, tour operators, journey brokers, eating places, occasion managers, and different tourism professionals perceive the realities of working tourism companies.
‘‘Their experiences and recommendations must therefore inform the policies and regulations that affect them.’’
To obtain this, he mentioned: ‘‘FTAN continues to have interaction related authorities establishments on points affecting the business, together with the implementation and harmonisation of the NTDA Act 2022 and the NIHOTOUR Act 2022.
‘‘Our place shouldn’t be opposition to regulation. Rather, we search insurance policies that promote professionalism, shield requirements, and help the sustainable progress of tourism companies.
‘‘Tourism insurance policies should be developed with the business, not merely for the business.
‘‘Government must recognise the organised private sector as a strategic partner, not simply a stakeholder to be informed after decisions have been made.’’
Badaki, who can be the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of HATMAN, referred to as for partnership as the one technique of attaining the specified finish of tourism improvement and promotion, saying, ‘‘no single institution can transform Nigeria’s tourism business alone. We want authorities, skilled associations, instructional establishments, traders, know-how suppliers, and tourism operators working in the direction of frequent goals.’’
‘‘Through the Tourism Transformation Mandate, FTAN will proceed to advertise constructive engagement, stronger collaboration amongst associations, and evidence-based advocacy to make sure that the considerations and suggestions of tourism operators obtain acceptable consideration.
‘‘I call on HATMAN and other tourism associations to strengthen this collective effort. A united, organised, and professionally credible private sector will be better positioned to influence policy and contribute meaningfully to national tourism development.’’
He counseled the resilience of HATMAN’s members for his or her dedication to the sustenance of the Association in 20 years. ‘‘Two decades of sustaining this professional platform demonstrate HATMAN’s dedication to advancing hospitality and tourism in Nigeria.’’
While noting that the theme of the conference- Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Agenda: ‘Implications for Global Transformation in Hospitality and Tourism’ is well timed, he mentioned; ‘‘Artificial intelligence and digital technology are changing how people go through the journey of discovering and experiencing discover and destinations. For Nigeria, these developments present opportunities to improve service delivery, reduce operating costs, expand market access, attract investment, and create employment.’’
To have a thriving and sustainable tourism, he referred to as for expert manpower improvement, infrastructure and collaboration amongst others, noting, ‘‘However, know-how alone can not remodel our business. We want expert professionals, dependable infrastructure, supportive insurance policies, and stronger collaboration amongst stakeholders.
‘‘Our task is to combine technological innovation with the warmth of Nigerian hospitality, the richness of our culture, and the professionalism required to compete globally.’’
He reiterated his dedication to the necessity for a extra coordinated, structured, and result-oriented strategy to tourism improvement.
‘‘This informed my commitment to the Tourism Transformation Mandate (TTM)—a vision focused on strengthening tourism associations, promoting investment, improving professional standards, enhancing destination visibility, and building stronger partnerships between government and the private sector,’’ he mentioned.
With the convention theme aligning together with his TTM Agenda, Badaki mentioned, ‘‘I due to this fact encourage HATMAN to prioritise digital expertise improvement, the adoption of reasonably priced know-how by hospitality companies, improved skilled requirements, and partnerships with instructional establishments and know-how suppliers.
‘‘We must prepare our members not merely to adapt to technological change but to use it as a tool for growth and innovation.’’
Badaki additional mentioned, ‘‘Through the Tourism Transformation Mandate, FTAN will proceed to advertise constructive engagement, stronger collaboration amongst associations, and evidence-based advocacy to make sure that the considerations and suggestions of tourism operators obtain acceptable consideration.
