The Honourable Minister of Tourism Lola Ade John has signalled that that Nigeria will return to the prestigious this year’s edition of the World Travel Market [WTM], holding from Tuesday 5th to Thursday 7th of November in London marking the country’s first official participation in over a decade.
In a meeting held on Wednesday 16th of November 2024 in Abuja, the Minister met with key tourism stakeholders to finalise plans for Nigeria’s involvement in the global event.
The meeting gathered notable representatives from various tourism organizations, including Friday Anumba from the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority [NTDA], Nkereuwem Onung, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria [FTAN], Yinka Folami, President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies [NANTA], and Hajia Bolaji Mustapha, President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators [NATOP].
In her address, the Honourable Minister expressed appreciation to NANTA for its role in previous WTM events and emphasized her goal for 2024: to lead a coordinated effort among Nigerian stakeholders for a unified and impactful representation. She commended FTAN’s President for facilitating the gathering and fostering collaboration among the attendees.
Nkereuwem Onung noted that although NANTA had initially planned to attend the WTM independently, he is optimistic about aligning their efforts with the Ministry’s overarching strategy. NANTA has committed to sharing its plans with the Ministry to develop a cohesive representation for Nigeria.
Also present was Ola Wright from the West Africa Tourism Organisation.
This collaboration marks a significant step in ensuring that Nigeria’s presence at the World Travel Market is well-organized and prominently showcased, enhancing the country’s profile in the global tourism arena.
By Our Correspondent