Solomon Bonu, chairman of the Lagos State House committee on tourism, arts and culture, has urged the immediate implementation of the state’s tourism master plan to position it as a global tourism destination and drive economic growth.
Mr Bonu made the call during an interaction with members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) on Monday in Lagos.
The meeting was aimed at fostering collaboration on repositioning the tourism sector and advocating for supportive policies.
According to the lawmaker, the master plan, which has been enacted into law by the House, provides a comprehensive approach to tourism development.
Mr Bonu, also the lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency I, said the master plan also integrates key sectors such as agro-tourism and transportation.
“Tourism is all about transportation. Is transportation taking its course in the area of tourism?
“We have an agro-tourism sector. Is that taking place?
“We even have medical tourism. Is that taking place and other things? Tourism goes beyond that,” he said.
He explained the necessity of the plan, adding that it was crucial to maximise the return on investment in tourism.
He emphasised the need for strategic collaboration with the private sector to leverage their expertise and resources.
He said the collaboration would ensure that tourism initiatives were both well-funded and efficiently managed.
Highlighting the importance of financial oversight, he further emphasised the need for accountability and transparency in budget allocation and spending.
Mr Bonu recommended an increased budgetary support for tourism, adding that if well-funded, the industry could become a significant economic driver for the state.
(NAN)