Jimoh Babatunde
10 October 2008
Since adoption of the statutes in 1970 and designated as World Tourism Day by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1979, global tourism has, since, seen its role of fostering "awareness among the international community on the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic values" not only change lives, but even change a nation's entire course.
Tourism Day: One of the cultural troupes performing during the World Tourism Day, weekend, at Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State.
As movements in nations across the globe, more and more adopts the chant of "greening the earth," the global focus for this year's campaign is to implement the Davos Declaration which builds on the tourism sector's "strong relationship" with climate and its global social and economic value, as well as its own role in maintaining sustainable developments.
UNWTO's World Tourism Day is hosted by a different country every year since the late Nigerian, Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi called for the institution of a world tourism day.
This year, Peru played host to the celebrations with the theme, Tourism Responding To The Challenge Of Climate Change, a topic which has been on everybody's lips since Al Gore, former US Vice-President made climate change popular.
Here in Nigeria, Mambila Plateau, Gembu, Taraba State hosted the tourism clan in the country with a "tourist parade" featuring traditional dances from the region last weekend.
In addition, a series of artistic and cultural activities, local foods and an exhibitions of native paintings depicting the beauty of Taraba were held at the Plateau stadium to attract domestic and foreign tourists.
Hosting this year's World Tourism Day, activities in Mambila Plateau were aimed at encouraging people to visit the Mabila Plateau which, according to the governor, Pharm. Danbaba Suntai, and chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism and Culture, Senator Dahiru Bako Gassol, is a true nature gift to the country.
According to the Governor, hosting the World Tourism Day at the Mambilla Plateau was to introduce the participants to a different Nigeria from what they were used to, "one that is comparable to, if not better than any, other tourist destination in the world, in terms of hospitable weather, scenic beauty, accommodating and friendly people. It is a temperate land in an otherwise tropical country."
The Governor explained that the state accepted to host the event as an opportunity to showcase the abundant tourism endowment of the state and not to only convince Nigerians to visit, but to also invest in tourism development in the state.
Danbaba Suntai explained that the full exploitation of the rich potentials of the state in tourism, which is beyond the state government alone, noted that there is need for public-private partnership to put together the kind of resources needed for the overall development of the plateau, especially its enormous tourism endowment.
While noting that the Mambilla Plateau has all it takes to put Nigeria in the world tourism map, Governor Suntai called on the Federal Government to accord the state the necessary attention in areas of infrastructural development like roads, water and electricity which are major attractions for investment and tourism.
"Taraba State, Mambilla Plateau in particular, has all it takes to place Nigeria on the world tourism map. All that is required is positive understanding from collaboration between the three tiers of government and the private sector to realize this goal."
The Governor said it should be a matter of great concern to us that, with the huge tourism potential in the country, we are not taking full advantage of what the sector can offer as Nigeria is far behind other African countries in terms of tourism development.
He said, as a government, they have taken far reaching measures aimed at laying a solid foundation for tourism development in the state. Governor Suntai explained that they have put in place an institutional and legal framework for the development of tourism; establishment of Taraba State Tourism Board; drawing up tourism master plan and policies for the state and development of tourism sites in the state, among others.
"Further more, as a way of promoting the rich culture of our people and in view of the place of culture in tourism development, Government has introduced two cultural festivals, namely the Taraba Festival of Arts and Culture and the Nwunyo Fishing Festival."
For the Minister of State for Tourism, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, the ministry, in trying to develop tourism in the country, is working in collaboration with other relevant ministries and government agencies to provide incentives for tourism operators.
While explaining that these incentives include tax waivers, amongst others, he added that the Ministry is also working in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Transportation and that of Environment to ensure that other necessary infrastructures such as good road network to tourism destinations, improve transport and communication systems and clean environments are provided to make our country more tourism friendly.
Dr. Idi Hong explained that the strong commitment of President Yar' Adua to the development of the economy through the 7 Point Agenda has propelled the modest achievement the tourism sector has witnessed so far.
Speaking on this year's celebration, which is "Tourism: Responding To The Challenge Of Climate Change," Dr. Idi Hong said "We are particularly touched by the implication of the theme and its relevance to the development of tourism in Africa and Nigeria in particular. Climate is considered as a unifying element in all human endeavours.
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today. The resultant global warming arising from envisions of carbon dioxide depletes the ozone layer of the atmosphere which has resulted in disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes and flooding due to rising sea levels."
He added that "The relationship between climate and tourism is symbiotic in nature. While the type of climate determines the nature of tourism activity and facilities to be developed at tourism sites, travel and tourism activities, such as transports whether by road, rail, air and water have contributed negatively to the climatic conditions".
"It has been estimated that the tourism industry fuels around 5% of global carbon emissions. It is, however, noteworthy that a lot is being done by the tourism industry to reduce its green house gas emissions and the industry's carbon footprint. There are also strong grounds to be optimistic that we can tackle climate change as practical solutions and technologies already exist for a sustainable energy sector and energy security."
Giving an overview of the scientific arguments of the theme of this year's celebration, Alhaji Munzalli Dantata, the Director General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, said "Very little is known about Africa's climate, compared with other continents. For example, the density of weather watch stations in Africa is 8 times lower than the minimum level recommended by the World Meteorological Organisation, and reporting rates are the lowest in the world."
While arguing that effective knowledge and communication of climate data to stakeholders is essential, Dantata explained that tourism global Code of Ethics enjoins observance of ethic of responsibility by all, including the service providers, and particularly by tourists, who pollute beaches, among other tourist attractions.
"Over exploitation of natural and beautiful landmarks such as the Mambilla Plateau can also escalate climate change. The Code promotes responsible use for sustained development of such sites."
He concluded by by saying that all tourists should comply with and encourage a "green" culture that respects the environment, and strong bonds must be created between generations so that a future is guaranteed, taking into account those who will come after us.
"In this way, a culture of responsible tourism will be developed, including one which also has a regard to climate change."
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