…Says it aligns with Lagos State believe in local tourism–Oyekan-Ismaila
…It will make a lot impact in local tourism -+NATOP President
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Adebopo Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, says the creation of a well furnished secretariat by the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) in Lagos, aligns with the state government’s believe in local tourism which creates limitless opportunities internationally.
She said this in an interview shortly after cutting the tape to declare the NATOP secretariat open in Lagos.
Oyekan-Ismaila said that it takes gut, cooperation and hard work for the secretariat to come to fruition .
According to her, ” It takes a bit of gut, cooperation and hard work that place. I am happy because it will further buttress what the Governor of Lagos State, Babajid Sanwolu believes in. He believes that local tourism that will eventually create limitless opportunities internationally. We think locally but we act globally.”
The secretariat, the Permanent Secretary, pointed out provides an avenue for tourism practitioners and none practitioners to come do their business and promote tourism in Lagos State and Nigeria.
“The secretariat is open for everybody and if you find anybody that wants to expose what Nigeria is as regards tourism to the world, come to this place . They are ready, open and willing to accept you.”
Also speaking, the President of NATOP, Hajia Bolaji Mustapha,said that the establishment of a secretariat will make a lot of impact on local tourism .
She said that the whole essence of created a secretariat is for NATOP to be visible
“A lot, you know, this is the first time in history that NATOP is having a secretariat. The essence is for us to be visible so that they know where to locate us. We need a location and I pray that by the grace of God we have our own permanent site where we’ll be located but this is the beginning.
“That is why we have a workstation for members to come in and do their work. We have a workstation, we have a small lounge that you can have a private meeting with your maybe clients and we have a conference room,where you can hold conference . You can rent a space for hours, for the whole day and you pay us so it’s just a place for us to generate revenue to promote tourism in Nigeria.”
On whether it will address the issue of fake practitioners in the
tourism sector, Mustapha said, ” It is
going to go a long way. When NATOP is visible other quacks will no longer have any option than to fall in line, do their business professionally. NATOP is Nigerian Association of Tour Operators and it is strictly for professionals,” She said.
The era where people will just wake up one morning and start writing content become tour operators overnight is not acceptable, adding that that is why NATOP is positioning itself to say come on let’s train you to be a professional.
He advised clients to always deal with professionals only and stressing that that’s why the secretariat was established and that it has come to stay.
Speaking at unveiling ceremony, the Chairman, Board of Trustees ( NATOP), Nkereuwem Onung , said that the opening of the association’s secretariat gives stability, structure and credence to NATOP as a formidable body .
He said that having a secretariat for NATOP was finally achieved after 15 years after efforts to have one.
He congratulated NATOP President, executive and members for their efforts and support towards making it a reality.
The Board Chairman hinted that for the past 15 years, the association has been rotating its Annual General Meeting (AGM) due to lack of a visible secretariat.
He thanked the Lagos State government for their support, presence and for identifying with NATOP.
On her part, the Chairperson, Planning Committee for the 10th AGM, Joy Alexander said the opening of the secretariat is a landmark achievement and event.
She commended the NATOP President, for her vision and members for their efforts towards making the commissioning a huge success.
Alexander posited that with the unveiling of the secretariat, NATOP is now positioned in the tourism space both locally and internationally.
She said that the NATOP’s forthcoming AGM is the 10th edition, adding that it is also going to be a landmark event.
She said that the association will be expecting a lot of conversations on local and in- bound tourism.
She pointed out that the intention of the association is to focus on destination Nigeria.
According to her, We ate going to be discussing Destination Tourism Potential. We will have government and tourism stakeholders well represented at the event. We are going to discuss how to unlock Nigeria’s tourism potential and how to promote destination Nigeria vision..We are hoping to have the Director Generals of NIHOTOUR, NTDA and other stakeholders. We are going to have a high powered panel on how to promote tourism both local and in- bound.”
She assured that the much awaited 10th AGM, she said will be an exciting one .
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