The administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is very keen on marketing the tourism values of Lagos State to business and leisure travellers across the globe. This strategy is expected to be driven by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and will in essence necessitates positioning of the State tourism potentials for better respect and appreciation by different segments of the tourism market.
This was disclosed by Steve Ayorinde at a reception organised by the management of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture on Monday when he assumed office as the new Commissioner in the Ministry.
The former Commissioner for Information and Strategy until the cabinet reshuffle effected on Thursday 11th January, 2018 by His Excellency, Akinwunmi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State, stated that ‘’the Ministry and the team under his watch will work with other State institutions and agencies to deliver a top notch economically beneficial tourism marketing strategy built on attractions and exposure of Lagos to the global tourism audience’’.
He posited that the Lagos economy in 2018 will be largely driven by tourism activities laced with socio-economic values. He implored the staff of the Ministry to be ‘’ready for targets and constant reminders of the need to keep eyes on the ball to meet those targets’’.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Arts and Culture, Aramide Giwanson while welcoming Ayorinde, expressed her joy in the new spirit to deliver the mandate of His Excellency, Akinwunmi Ambode to make Lagos a preferred tourism destination in Africa.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Fola Adeyemi while presenting Ayorinde to the management staff of the Ministry, referred to him as an amiable and reliable team leader with great antecedents. He assured the staff of the Ministry that a renewed strength and vigour will be provided by the new leadership to move the creative industry and the tourism value-chain to higher steps on the ladder for productivity and enhanced economic value.
…Ambode Receptive To Innovation To Drive Lagos Tourism Agenda
The Governor of Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode is ever receptive to innovation in driving and achieving optimum development in Lagos State especially in the creative industry, hospitality management and the entire tourism value-chain development.
The State Government realized early that tourism is one of the pillars of the creative economy which could turn the IGR of any country around and this is why the Lagos State Government is determined to use the creative economy for revenue generation outside the Oil and GAS. The State therefore will deploy innovation, technology and globally tested resources to achieve its goal in marketing her tourism assets. This is part of the reason the State is putting together a 15 year tourism master plan alongside other innovations
This was disclose today by Steve Ayorinde, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture when the promoters of Tourism Innovation Development Advantage paid a courtesy call to his office to seek the support of the Ministry for its forthcoming conference on virtual tourism marketing.
The Commissioner affirmed the support of the Lagos State Government for the hosting of the 2018 ‘tida’ conference and the launch of virtual tourism device for tourism promotion in the State. The endorsement according to Ayorinde is purely hinged on the fact that the innovation aligns with the Administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in the use of technology to drive business and leisure visitors to Lagos State and further expand the market for the consumption of made in Lagos creative ideas, products and services.
Speaking through its leader, Femi Lawson, the ‘tida team said the choice of Lagos State for the launch of the device was borne out of recognition for the position Lagos State occupy as the emerging tourism hub of the nation and the large tourism market available for exploration in the State. He says ‘tida’ is set for development of ideas that will add value to tourism promotion through Tourism Insurance, Infrastructural tourism and the virtual tourism device that will help to market Nigeria tourism potentials domestically and help to increase traffic of international tourists into the country.
In his welcome remark, the Hon. Commissioner said According to him, the 2016 hospitality income index reflect a gross increase as a result of the various entertainment events and show especially the eight day One Lagos Fiesta [OLF] of which the economic benefits cut across institutions in the creative and entertainment sector. He said the State is aligning with the virtual tourism technology to communicate to Lagosians the experience and the fun available locally rather than go overseas.
On the proposed release of Lagos Tourism Event Calendar, Ayorinde said the idea is to help tourists plan their movement around the major tourism events that will happen in Lagos in 2018. Business and leisure travelers with the aid of the event calendar can explore the beauty of Lagos and take away something memorable during their visits.
He said prior to the release of the Lagos State Tourism Master Plan, the Ministry will convey a tourism summit for operators in the tourism space to share ideas and collaborate to achieve a private driven Lagos master plan which will provide the template for any government to work with. As part of the reengineering to be introduced in the new plan the State government is looking at the possibility of setting up a Tourism Promotion Council to regulate and drive tourism affairs in the State.
Present at the meeting are the Special Adviser to the Governor on Arts and Culture, Aramide Giwanson, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of tourism, Arts and Culture, Fola Adeyemi and the Director, Tourism Promotion, Oni Adama.
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