Nigeria: Demand TRUE Sustainable Tourism
A recent Global Progress blog post starts off pretty well – especially by naming its post “Developing Sustainable Tourism in Nigeria.”
Nigeria and indeed Africa is well known for their ‘more than the usual’ hospitality. The traditional Nigerian society dwells richly in welcoming guests, strangers and visitors using various approaches and means. Locations such as beaches ideal for different kinds of games, unique wildlife, vast strips of unspoiled nature ranging from tropical forest, magnificent waterfalls and great artworks showcasing lifestyle and creativity of the Nigerian people.
So far so good.
“Nigerians love life and enjoyment-a people known as the happiest people in the world.”
Aww – that’s nice.
Here’s where it gets a tad bit troubling, quoting Trevor Ward, “an experienced hospitality consultant” as saying:
“Tourism is a potential growth sector for Nigeria. The country’s natural, historic and cultural assets are extraordinary, and can easily be exploited by eager entrepreneurs. [Emphasis mine.] The most readily accessible market is the domestic one, with evidence that the new generation has a much higher propensity to spend money on leisure activities than their parents.”
Not surprising that Trevor Ward would say that given he’s with the W Hospitality Group “within only 18 months Ward… built a fledgling portfolio of three hotels in Nigeria.”
Okay, what part of sustainable tourism don’t you get, Global Progress? Sustainable tourism does not mean tourism rescues the country. It means tourism that embraces and adds to its local culture and environment. By espousing ideas that advocate rushing into building big hotels to save Nigeria (“tourism should be seen and positioned as a fast-track tool”), you will do more harm than good and that will not lead to sustainable or socially conscious tourism.
Happiest people, indeed.
[...] … Companies present proposals for tourism development programmes. GANGTOK, March 6: Four …Nigeria: Demand TRUE Sustainable Tourism | The Mindful TouristA recent Global Progress blog post starts off pretty well especially by naming its post Developing [...]