The Lagos State Government has pledged support for grassroots tourism development through active involvement and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders in the value chain.
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, and the Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu, gave the pledge at the unveiling of Lagos State Chapter of Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) and a summit organised by ATPN South-West tagged: “The Place of Domestic Tourism in Post-COVID Economy”, which held recently in Badagry.
Mrs. Akinbile-Yusuf said the unveiling of the Lagos Chapter of the Association was coming at the right time when tourism in Lagos State is witnessing a rebirth, hoping that the Lagos ATPN will set a standard for other critical stakeholders in the industry to follow.
She also expressed confidence in the leadership of the Association, especially the Head of the Lagos State Chapter of the Association, Apata Samson Nunayon, saying “I am happy that a right person was discovered by the South-West leadership for the Lagos Chapter of the body and I expect nothing less than a huge impact in the sector from him.”
On his part, the Special Adviser, Solomon Bonu, promised to throw his weight behind the Lagos ATPN, emphasising the need for the chapter to be more actively involved in tourism activities in the State than ever before.
“Be reminded that the progress of tourism industry lies majorly in the hands of stakeholders, the government can only create an enabling and friendly environment and policies that will make this sector thrive”, he stated.
In his remarks, the Chairman, ATPN Lagos, Apata Samson Nunayon, appreciated the leadership of ATPN under the National President, Alhaji Hassan Zakaria and the South-West Chairman, Prince Adetunji Fadina for considering him worthy for the mantle of Lagos ATPN.
He said: “It is an assignment that calls for the continuous support of every stakeholder in tourism and hospitality industry across the country because whatever happens in Lagos is a reflection of what happens in Nigeria”.