President Muhammadu Buhari has stated, on Wednesday, June 1, in Madrid, Spain, that Nigeria is ready to hold the first-ever Global Conference on Tourism, Culture, and the Creative Industry in a welcoming atmosphere in November this year.
The statement was made during a visit to the headquarters of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in the Spanish capital at the start of his State Visit to the country.
Read Also: Osinbajo Presides Over FEC Meeting As Buhari Absent Due To Spain Trip
President Buhari described the granting of the hosting rights as;
Further proof of Nigeria’s support for the vision of the organisation and also an affirmation of the confidence reposed in our country by your organisation.
He said the event would provide the country another chance to show off its tourism and creative industries to the rest of the world.
President Buhari further noted;
It will also serve as an opportunity to extend our warm hospitality to the world and introduce the country’s leisure and business sectors to potential investors. We have not-so-well-known wonders to reveal.
“We look forward to greeting all participants,” President Buhari said, as he assured attendees from around the world of “a safe and secure environment as well as outstanding amenities.”
The President stated that Nigeria has consistently supported the organisation since its inception in 1975, noting that the country was also chosen as Chairman of the Commission for Africa between 2005 and 2007.
He used the opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for awarding 100 UNWTO Online Academy Scholarships for ‘Introduction to Tourist-Industry Management,’ emphasising that this will help to increase youth empowerment and education while also addressing the tourism industry’s labour shortfall.
It is great to see that Nigeria is hosting the maiden Global Conference on Tourism.
This is a much-needed step in helping to promote tourism in the country and increase awareness of its many attractions.
I am sure that this event will succeed and help put Nigeria on the map as a tourist destination.
I look forward to hearing more about it in the future. Thank you for bringing attention to this critical issue.