In continuation of its bid to present a better image of Nigeria to the international community as well as strengthening, improved domestic tourism in Nigeria, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), has unveiled the Tourism Information Desk at Abuja international airport.
The Tourism Information portal comes alive at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport on Monday when the Director General of NTDC Dr. Mrs. Sally Mbanefo unveiled the portal in Abuja, saying that information desk will assist tourist with the general knowledge of tourism industry in Nigeria.
She noted that launching of the information desk is part of the corporation efforts towards promoting domestic tourism and assisting in gathering and collating data of tourist entering Nigeria.
According to her, the information desk will no doubt showcase Nigeria tourism assets.
She disclosed: “The reason we are unveiling this portal is to give Nigerians information about our numerous tourism sites that are not known to tourist. As you know we are promoting domestic tourism which means that before we can begin to market outsiders, we want foreigners to see many Nigerians enjoying what we have.
“Nigeria has so many tourism attracted sites but nobody knows them, that is why we are going to different states to know what they have so as to market those sites for the state government in order to increase revenue generation in the country. Furthermore, this will provide job opportunity for our teaming unemployed population.
“The information Centre will equally assist and ease enquiries for both arrival and departure tourists.
“We have already gotten approval for two airports; we got approval for Abuja and Lagos to start with and will soon be replicated in all the international airports in Nigeria.” She assured.
Speaking further, Mbanefo added that initiatives will also promote security for tourists by recommending to them the accredited taxis and hotels. “We are partnering with a company called VIKO, the taxi car hire service at the airport. The idea is to let arrived travellers to know that there is security safety in Nigeria. With this, NTDC will recommend for them the credible and accredited taxi and hotels in Nigeria.
“NTDC want to use this to market the tourism asset of Nigeria and to really improve the image of Nigeria, we believe our image is good we will not allow people to spoil the good image of Nigeria, and tourism is here to make that difference.”
While thanking the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka for the opportunity given to NTDC by allocating a bigger space where marketing Nigeria is going to be easier for the corporation.
“We want Nigerians to know that tourism is here to stay and tourism is here to replace oil” she said.
In her remarks, the head of FAAN Communication Mrs. Yakubu Henrietta lauds the NTDC initiatives saying that information desk at the airport will go a long way in promoting Nigerian culture.
This stand that have been open by NTDC is truly great, this desk will promote Nigeria a lot, any foreigner coming into the country, with the NTDC stand they will be able to ask questions about Nigeria’s tourist sites, the hotel to visit, it will really promote our culture.
“I am happy that this stand is located in a very strategic place at the airport which will enable anybody that comes to see the information desk both at international and domestic sides, this is a very good development,” she enthused.
The Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Sally Mbanefo assisting the Airport Manager, Mr. Mohammed Muktar to cut the tape during the commissioning of the NTDC stand recently held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while others look on.
L-R: Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Sally Mbanefo, Public Affairs Department, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Yakubu Henrietta; Airport Manager, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Mr Mohammed Muktar and Regional General Manager, North Central, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Engineer Ositayo. O showcasing the NTDC promotional materials during the commissioning of the NTDC stand recently held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Sally Mbanefo with Nollywood actors during the commissioning of the NTDC stand recently held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.