The Lagos State Government has called for stronger collaboration with tour operators to unlock Nigeria’s tourism potential and accelerate the growth of domestic tourism.
The state also reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling environment that will support sustainable tourism development and attract more visitors to Lagos.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, made the call through the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mrs. Bukola Agbaminoja, at the 10th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), held at the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Hall, Alausa, Ikeja.
The conference, themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Tourism Potential: Strengthening Tour Operators for Sustainable Destination Development,” brought together key stakeholders in the tourism industry to discuss strategies for improving destination management and promoting domestic tourism.
Benson-Awoyinka described tour operators as critical players in transforming Nigeria’s tourism resources into sustainable economic opportunities, noting that the country’s cultural heritage, historical sites, festivals, beaches, wildlife and creative industries can only generate value when properly packaged, marketed and made accessible to visitors.
She stressed that tour operators serve as the bridge between destinations and travellers, playing important roles in destination promotion, investment attraction and employment creation.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to tourism development through the THEMES+ Agenda, highlighting ongoing investments in infrastructure, security, accessibility and tourism assets aimed at improving visitor experiences.
She listed major tourism projects, including the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, JJT Park, heritage sites in Badagry and the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Industrial Leather Hub in Mushin, as strategic initiatives strengthening Lagos’ position as a leading tourism destination in Africa.
According to her, Lagos hosts over 200 festivals and tourism-related events annually, including the Eyo Festival, Lagos Fanti Carnival, E1 Boat Regatta, Lagos Seafood Festival and Art X Lagos, which continue to attract local and international visitors.
She urged tour operators to embrace professionalism, certification, continuous skills development, digital transformation and innovative tourism products such as agro-tourism, medical tourism, culinary tourism and diaspora heritage tours.
The commissioner also called for improved access to finance, stronger public-private partnerships and greater use of digital platforms to enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian tour operators globally.
She disclosed that Lagos State would continue collaborating with development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to strengthen digital connectivity and promote the “Made-in-Lagos” and “Made-in-Nigeria” tourism brands.
Benson-Awoyinka further pledged the state’s commitment to deeper partnerships with NATOP through festivals, trade missions, destination marketing initiatives and other programmes designed to grow the tourism sector.
She encouraged stakeholders to intensify the “See Nigeria First” campaign and move beyond discussions by implementing practical solutions capable of converting Nigeria’s tourism potential into measurable economic growth.
Earlier, NATOP President, Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha, described the conference as a celebration of the association’s 10-year journey and its contribution to tourism development.
She noted that while Nigeria possesses remarkable tourism assets, unlocking their full potential requires stronger institutions, empowered operators, innovation, strategic partnerships and sustainable destination management.
Mustapha described tour operators as storytellers, destination ambassadors and important drivers of economic growth, contributing to job creation, cultural preservation and community development.
The three-day conference featured panel discussions, workshops and networking sessions focused on destination development, digital transformation, access to finance, professionalism and strategies for advancing domestic tourism.
Established in 1993 by Mr. Eboboje Da Silva, the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) serves as the umbrella body for tour operators and allied tourism service providers in Nigeria.
