Kaduna: Expert Demands Inclusion Of Critical Stakeholders In Tourism Development

BY ABDULWAHEED OLAYINKA ADUBI, KADUNA – A hospitality and tourism expert, Mr Tobi Bernard Thomas, has stressed the need for the Kaduna State Government to incorporate stakeholders in the industry in the process of developing and implementing strategies that will attract both domestic and international tourists.

This was as he also suggested the establishment of the Kaduna Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) to coordinate tourism activities in the state.

He specifically called on the state government to ensure the inclusion of stakeholders in the composition of a tourism board whenever it is to be constituted and or established.

Thomas, who stated these on Friday, February 14, 2025, while chatting with journalists, said a tangible collaboration between the state and critical stakeholders like the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), and others will promote and market the state as a tourist destination.

He noted that Kaduna state is blessed with abundant tourism centres which are left untapped, hence the need to boost the tourism sector in the state, adding that the government should adopt a method that is capable of operating tour services within and outside the state through the establishment of KADA Airline as a state carrier.

Thomas, who is the Kaduna state Coordinator of FTAN also said that the adoption of the aforementioned would help increase the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

He said; “I am available to serve in any capacity to ensure that Kaduna state becomes the centre of global tourism destination site. It becomes imperative to put the reality on ground into consideration, and for the state to see how to generate revenue from the non-oil products.

“If the sector should be given proper consideration, it would no doubt foster economic growth and development of other sectors.

“For the state to have a Unique Selling Proportion (USP), on any planned programme for tourism, there is the need for the inclusion of stakeholders,” he said.