The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Directorate of Private Sector has assembled experts and stakeholders from the tourism industry for a five-day conference in Abuja, Nigeria. The gathering is focused on the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for ECOTOUR 19-29 and the ECOWAS Tourism Accommodation Regulator, with an aim to optimize resource use and improve operational efficiency.
During this technical meeting, attendees will create operational texts for these mechanisms, establish their structure and operation modalities, and develop monitoring and evaluation processes. Furthermore, the conference will assist private sector participants in completing the formation of a regional confederation and prepare for the forthcoming ECOWAS 1st Scientific Forum on Intra-Regional Tourism.
Mr. Folorunsho Coker, Director General of the National Tourism Agency of Nigeria, advocated for localizing policies that consider the ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity of the region. He emphasized these factors as crucial to successful regional tourism growth and preservation of West African cultural heritage.
"This is the season for collaboration, not competition, for joint marketing campaigns rather than individual ones. From our hotels to our airlines to our regional tourism assets, we must work together," he stated. "It is through this spirit of collaboration that we will grow pan-African tourism."
Mr. Coker also urged both state and non-state actors to collaborate in harmonizing tourism regulations to provide guidelines for all activities in the sector. He stressed the importance of incorporating technology in tourism and training operators to compete globally. "We must embrace technology, or it will leave us behind," he said.
Speaking on behalf of Madame Massandjé Toure-Liste, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mr. Anthony Luka Elumelu, Acting Director of Private Sector stated that inspiration was drawn from the ECOTOUR 19-29 action plan for this meeting. This plan was adopted by the Authority of Heads of State and Government to serve as a roadmap for promoting responsible tourism.
Alerts Sign-up