16th April, 2018
Prof. Ibukunoluwa Ayodele, a Professor of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, University of Ibadan, says ecotourism is capable of contributing to economic growth and minimising poverty in the country.
He said this on Monday at the Lagos State Tourism summit with the theme ” Destination Lagos: Towards a Sustainable Tourism-Driven Economy’’ held at Eko Hotels and suites.
Ayodele said that ecotourism, which could be a money spinner for the nation if well harnessed, had not been effectively tapped in the country
“Stakeholders should be more involved in tourism development to create awareness on all levels, most especially in ecotourism.
“From the state and federal level, there should be good governance and appropriate policies put in place to help ecotourism grow“.
Ayodele said that, generally, to groom tourism in Nigeria, appropriate infrastructure must be in place to attract both local and foreign tourist.
He said this had to be done when there was synergy between the federal and state governments.
“Lagos as a tourism destination has huge potentials yet unexplored, but if fully supported and attained, it can contribute significantly to drive the economy,“ Ayodele said.
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Mr James McGregor, renowned ecotourism and sustainable tourism planner, said Lagos still had a lot of work to do.
McGregor urged the Lagos State Government and the National Inland Waterways to collaborate in order to tidy the Lagos waterways so as to attract tourists.
He said water hyacinth and debris on waterways were great hindrances to the growth of ecotourism.
The planner said there was need to consider a ban on plastic bags, for a sustainable ecosystem.
“This has been banned in a lot of countries which are successful in the development of tourism like Kenya, where a five-year jail term is issued to violators.
“In Morocco where I come from, I live on a beach because our beaches are very neat, but here in Lagos, we litter a lot, which will render the beaches unattractive,“he said.