The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has disclosed that the federal government and a global news leader, CNN, have planned to collaborate on the promotion of Nigeria’s tourism sector through Nollywood.
Mohammed made this known at the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) in Lagos on Tuesday.
According to him, talks between the federal government and CNN are at an advanced stage to forge a “very strong and effective partnership to use our comparative advantage in film production, through Nollywood, to promote tourism in Nigeria.
“This is a path we have not trodden before, but which we are sure will go a long way in making it possible for us to push tourism from the back-burner to the mainstream of the economy,” the minister said.
He added that more details of the partnership will be provided in the days ahead.
Mohammed further urged the private sector in the country to partner with the government to grow the tourism industry and provide the necessary skills, competencies and ingredients for growth and progress.
”Stakeholders are also invited to package and promote Nigerian destinations, goods and services.
“This will create direct and indirect employment through tourism, grow the economy, increase the national GDP, position Nigeria as an all-year-round tourism destination and establish a worthwhile, acceptable and recognizable image of the country among tourists.
“Let us all tour Nigeria, let us all consume more of made in Nigeria, let us all know more of our heritage. Let us all celebrate Nigeria,” he said.