Nseobong Okon-Ekong
3 January 2009
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Lagos — WHILE less endowed countries reap bountifully from tourism, especially in the last four years due largely to the unprecedented growth (over 900 million international arrivals recorded in 2007 with improvement expected in 2008 when the final result is released) in the industry, Nigeria, which is known for its huge resources is yet to explore the underbelly of the industry.
Attempts no doubt have been made in the past by the various administrations in the country to give a lift to the industry. However, the result has been a poor execution of major policies and programmes that were meant to improve performances in the area. And in most cases, leaders entrusted with the fate of the sector care less about it while others act and take decisions based on faulty premises.
The result of these years of total neglect and inaction is that the nation and operators in the sector are the poorer for it. In the case of most of the investors, the situation is lamentable as they hardly get a fair hearing or support from financial institutions and government donor agencies for the execution of their projects.
Aware of the problem that this poses for the sector and the further dip if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation given the fact that global tourism remains in the ascendancy, Wanle Akinboboye, one of the operators who have had to surmount all odds and indignations to set his dreams afoot rather than keep bemoaning the fate of the sector and those of his kindred, has decided to tread a new path, waxing lyrical with a new vision.
After a detailed study of the sector and the country, Wanle reveals that he has come to the sad realization that the main reason why the sector has remained a beggarly one is because many of the people in government and other leaders as well as financial institutions decision makers lack a basic understanding of what tourism is all about.
Even when they do, it is mostly superficial and pedestrian. Added to this, he says, is that most of them do not also have the tradition or culture of leisure and entertainment and where they do, it is not deep enough. What this means is that the country and business concerns are in the hands of those who are not well versed in the modern mix that is required to give tourism the expected push.
"You can't do tourism if you don't partake in it. You can't give what you don't have." The bane of the sector, he says is because the leaders of today are not conscious of the leisure culture and so it is difficult for them to affect the kind of change that is needed to grow it.
Referring to his pet projects, he says "it was difficult for me to get government support because they can't see what the vision is about. I can't blame anyone but we have to make a correction to ensure that the future leaders have the right perspective and a basic understanding of the sector and its impact on the society."
To this end, Wanle has set up a tourism club. However, the make and focus of Wanle's tourism club is different from the normal tourism club. For a start, the club is named: Tomorrow's Leaders Today (TLT).
What is it all about? Waxing poetic Wanle says it is to raise a corps of young executive and aspiring leaders who would be totally schooled and educated in the finest culture of travel, tourism, leisure and entertainment. "TLT is aimed at educating young executives to become passionate about tourism in Nigeria," he contends.
According to him, most Nigerian elite and leaders today started way back in their early twenties to network and form alliances which today has served them well. Unfortunately, they were not introduced to tourism hence cannot champion the course as they are already too old and steeped in their ways and beliefs to make any appreciable impact.
To be eligible for membership, Wanle informs that an aspirant must be between ages 21 and 45. The one must also be gainfully employed or engaged and must earn an average of N2 million annually and must have been working or engaged for about two to three years. Also, a member must show flair for tourism.
Explaining further, Wanle reveals that a member is expected to pay a subscription fee of N150, 000 annually, a joining fee of N100, 000 and N50, 000 which would be loaded onto the debit card of each member for purchases and also sundry expenses. La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort is to serve as the administrative office and base of the club.
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