Patience Saghana
24 December 2008
Away from the traditional insurance products, insurance companies have been enjoined to come out with products for tourism and leisure ahead of the full takeoff of Tinapa in Calabar.
Addressing insurance operators in Calabar, Managing Director of Tinapa, Mr. Bassey Ndem at the 36th Education seminar of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) on the theme: The Role of Insurance in Developing Tourism in Nigeria held at Metropolitan Hotel and Conference said insurance companies should roll out products that best suit the needs of tourists.
According to him, "Insurance firms in Nigeria are encouraged to in addition to the policies they offer currently, also develop unique, tailor-made products that are suitable for the retail, hospitality, leisure and entertainment which Tinapa is involved in."
Ekon further stated, Insurance companies need to strengthen their skills and capabilities in Entertainment and Leisure Insurance. Thus, it should be possible to find unique products for events, the casino, the hotels, for film actors and actresses when on location for shooting, for tourists visiting the resort, for the cinemas and others."
Ndem who was represented by Mr. Francis Ekon said "This call has become necessary as a standard insurance package may not be exactly suitable in some of these cases. The infancy of the Tourism sector in Nigeria and the challenges it is currently facing more than anything else, emphasize the need for effective and competitively priced insurance solutions".
In the same vein, CIIN President, Mr. Adeyemo Adejumo in his speech at the occasion said insurance sector and the tourism industry should work together as partners in progress for the overall interest of the country.
Adejumo said, "The Insurance Industry realizes the prime position of Tourism in Nigeria and seeks to explore the abiding interface between Insurance and Tourism as partners in progress. I am confident that both sectors will find common boundaries and areas of co-operation in forging the requisite synergies for mutual survival and growth".
He noted, "As we are all aware, the tourism potentials of Nigeria are immense and could grow the National Economy in leaps and bounds, if given the desired attention, especially with the provision of the necessary infrastructure and enabling environment. Tourism is also at the heart of the Millennium Development Goals of the Federal Government, considering its potentiality to better the lives of the people by providing employment, alleviating poverty and guaranteeing the requisite peace of mind for the masses".
"With about N50 billion already expended on the Tinapa resort, there is hardly any doubt that it is a bold step by the River State Government and that it must be geared at achieving its desired objectives. The recent approval of Tinapa's procedural and operational guidelines by the Federal Executive Council is a step in the right direction, although coming a bit late, bearing in mind the huge investments locked up in the project as a result of the initial policy misgivings. However, it is never too late to flag-off the trade activities and to bring succour to the expectant investors. We are reliably informed that the Tinapa trade activities will be flagged off in December".
Explaining the reason why the institute chose Calabar as the venue for this year's education seminar, Adejumo stated, "It is also pertinent to state that the choice of Calabar as venue of the seminar, informed selection of the theme: "The Role of Insurance in Developing Tourism in Nigeria", a mark of recognition for Cross River State as the Nation's preferred tourism destination".
"This is a state which is blazing the trail in the development of its tourism sites such as the Obudu Ranch Resort which harbours immense attraction for tourists from within and outside Nigeria. The Cross River State Government has also demonstrated immense foresight in the establishment of Tinapa, a project which many have described as a giant stride towards deepening trade and commerce in the country by employing the benefits of a Free Trade Zone".
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