Mrs Sally Mbanefo, High Chief Edem Duke and Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida
Nigeria's Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation in - High Chief Edem Duke has re-affirmed the commitment of his ministry to develop domestic tourism in Nigeria, as he also called on foreign tourists and business investors to consider Nigeria as their first port of call.
Duke made the commitment at the recently-concluded World Travel Market (WTM) in London where he also unveiled the country's tourism drive tagged: 'Fascinating Nigeria' with the Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) - Mrs.Sally Mbanefo and Nigeria's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom - Dr.Dalhatu Sarki Tafida.
Duke noted that, "Despite the global media propaganda launched against Nigeria, none of the world's popular oil companies have move out of Nigeria. All the major airlines of this world are still operating in Nigeria. Nigerians are 'big spenders' in many countries in both Europe and America. We have several tourist destinations and business opportunities in Nigeria. We are very diverse and rich in culture. We have reputable professionals of Nigerian origin excelling in all the known professions in this world. We are a people with great hospitality and warm hearts to welcome foreigners and visitors into our country."
Duke also challenged the tour operators and Nigerians to come up with profitable, workable and meaningful proposals to re-package domestic tourism in Nigeria.
"Nigeria is hosting World Economic Summit next year in Abuja. The whole world must witness a new Nigeria not often seen in the eyes of the world media. Our Ministry is determined to improve domestic tourism as a viable sector of the economy, he added."