Inside Details As NTDC Boss, Folarin “Folly” Coker Changes Face Of Tourism With Ambitious Tour Nigeria Project

The face of the nation’s tourism is about to be changed.

And this is courtesy of an ambitious project initiated by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.

Director General, Folorunsho Folarin Coker is the brain behind the move.

According to information available to societynow the move is “an ambitious attempt at promoting tourism in Nigeria that aims to shape the narrative on Nigeria as a major destination for tourism, hospitality, arts and entertainment in Africa.

And it is being driven under the flagship of all encompassing project known as Tour Nigeria.

The brand is poised to market the nation’s tourism assets.

Findings revealed this is based on conviction that the way to stimulate travel to Nigeria – while infrastructure is being upgraded – is to change the perception that Nigeria doesn’t have much to offer leisure travellers.

And the move is already on.

NTDC DG fondly addressed as Folly Coker in the social circle has officially launched Tour Nigeria.

The brand was launched in Lagos a couple of days back.

Tour Nigeria strongly resists on conviction that Domestic Leisure Travel is very vital to the revival of Nigeria’s tourism industry.

The NTDC boss disclosed that Tour Nigeria was conceptualised to enhance domestic consumption of Nigeria’s tourism products, create new tourism markets, add to the nation’s GDP, create employment, and increase spending in the economy .

Checks revealed all these and more were part of Coker’s mandate when he assumed office as NTDC boss.

To take care of the other tasks which include reversal of negative discuss about Nigerian Tourism, innovate new channels of tourism markets while promoting Nigeria in positive light and shaping positive perception about it’s citizens, Folly and his team have also devised a road map themed – CHIEF.

CHIEF is Corporate Governance & Regulations; Human Capital Development; Infrastructural Development; Events and Marketing; and Finance & Investment.

Further revelations have it, some of the plans in CHIEF include;

A review of the NTDC Act of 1992 and all tourism laws; a review of the National Water Transportation policy and seek the support of the National Inland Waterways Authority to promote and monitor tourism on the waterways; ensure the ease of entry and exit of tourists in and out of the country with prompt, accessible and affordable access to visas; recommend the introduction of tourism education as a course across secondary schools and higher institutions in Nigeria; champion the upgrade of beaches and waterfronts across Nigeria’s coastline; empower a business development team to manage and optimise internally generated revenue, among many others.

According to a report glimpsed on thisday, a key approach to be employed under the CHIEF strategy is to harness digital and online communities like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to promote destinations and tourism activities in Nigeria.

The impact of these social media platforms cannot be overemphasised, with their speed and reach of dissemination a boon in helping to project world-class Nigerian assets like the Wikki Warm Springs in Yankari, Bauchi.

The digital space resulted in emergence of new movement; young Nigerians connect through social media, travel the country and post pictures which in turn stimulate more travel. Some budding brands selling tours include, Social Prefect Tours, Irinajo.com, Tripzapp, Naija Nomads, Unravelling Nigeria among others.

NTDC strategy involves bringing these private enterprises and others in the tourism value chain to work together and drive the Tour Nigeria brand.

“The brand will leverage on the best of Nigeria. Nigerians are known to be intelligent hard-working people, we are also known for our “can-do” and “never-say-never” attitude, which is complimented with a friendly and accommodating spirit. We are proudly the most populous black nation on Earth, home to the second largest film industry on the globe whilst also being the fashion, technological and creative hub in Africa.

“We have designed and populated our calendar of events with unique festivals and events that cut across the various entertainment channels of food, music, sports, religion, fashion and cultural festivals,” Coker said according to further information sourced from thisday .

To create further public awareness for the Tour Nigeria brand, the NTDC will embark on a bus tour across the six geo-political zones from the first week of August. This and other events will peak with the year ending ‘Countdown Nigeria’ celebration.