Lagos Commissioner, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf Unveils Plans For Domestic Tourism

The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, has unveiled plans by the State Government to channel resources towards the development of tourism sites across the State as a way of boosting domestic tourism and reducing international travel adventure.

Speaking at a Press Conference to herald the celebration of Y2020 World Tourism Day slated to hold today Sunday 27th September, 2020, in Lagos, the Commissioner said the development of new sites in Lagos and the renovation of existing ones will help reduce the rate at which Nigerians travel abroad for adventure.

She expressed the belief that the State’s tourism can attract patronage if revamped to meet international standards, with Lagos State moving from its current position as one of the top five tourism cities in Africa to become number one on the continent.

Akinbile-Yusuf said that the plan of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for next year is to focus more on developing local tourism sites and also commencing work on newly discovered areas as a strategy that will reduce the rate at which Nigerians holiday abroad.

According to her, the Ministry is working hard to transform the State into a tourism and entertainment hub in Africa by exploring and promoting the potentials that abound in Lagos, as well as supporting the thriving entertainment and arts industry to attract visitors and also create jobs for residents.

She stated that the Ministry has also started the production of a documentary that will help market the Lagos brand beyond the shores of Nigeria and the African continent, just as efforts are being made to invent new destinations such as a Film Village and Musical Concert Arena, among others, under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

In her words, “Just recently, the State government announced the commitment of capital for investment in Tourism, Arts and Culture for practitioners in the industry so as to drive the growth of the sector in the State.”

The Commissioner also disclosed plans by the State Government to establish a Tourism Development Trust Fund to provide succour to practitioners in the industry in the time of need, adding that this is one of the issues that the COVID-19 pandemic had assisted in bringing to fore.

As a way of celebrating this year’s World Tourism Day, the Ministry will hold discussions with some key tourism stakeholders on Tourism and Rural Development from 12 noon on Sunday, 27th September, 2020 via Zoom Application while the event will also be live-streamed on Lagos State Government’s Facebook Page.