Austin Eneduwa-George is a top player in the tourism industry in Nigeria. He recently spoke to Charles Okogene of Newdawn hightlighling the callenges facing the sector.
Do you really think we have tourism sites in Nigeria that our governments can showcase to the world?
Oh! Yes. We have loads of tourism sites and destinations both tapped and untapped. In fact, every state of the federation can boast of at least five each while some can boast of 20. Sad thing is that most of our people in government tend to look down on the very country they are supposed to be patriotic about with blind eyes preferring to drool over sites in other countries. It’s so bad that even staff training is done abroad
If yes, where are they?
From the Ikogosi warm spring to Ogwumike Lake in Owerri and the cave in Enugu. Nassarawa State alone boasts of three waterfalls that’s hindered in the jungle with no passable road to it. Delta here alone has its untapped phenomenon like the Agbono tree by the river side yet non of its leaves can or has ever dropped in the water. Kaduna, Jos, Ebony ,Ogun states etc all have things that could be of attraction for tourists. Nobody thought anything was in Calabar till Donald Duke decided to highlight them to the world. This is a country that boasts of over 270 tribes and culture with distinct languages and tradition and dress sense. We have from the Argungu, to the traditional wrestling in the north west, the Durban in Kano, Olobo Carnival in Ogwashi-Uku, Eyo in Lagos, different masquerades and drum (talking drums,the bata etc). The list is endless
3. How come governments at federal and states levels are not promoting tourism as they ought to?
Tourism business is a huge capital business. If you are not inspired from within with a passion for the industry, you won’t have the confidence to do much. I’m a tourism development and hospitality management consultant and by so I’ve seen and met a lot of people who think they have the passion until they get to the shore and suddenly develop cold feet. Many Nigerians would only want to involve in what brings money now. Delta boasts of all sorts of tourism attractions. From the itshekiri land to Urhobo land down to the rich Igbo culture in the Anioma land with over 100 tribes and culture between. The Lander Brothers, Mungo Park expedition routes are just but a few, cultural heritage, boat regatta, the riverine shores of the central and potential for a port, the hilltop landscapes of Anioma land. Its unfortunate most of our people in government have a believe issue and what you can’t see in your imagination or subconscious, you cannot desire to see in reality. They are interested In businesses they can put money in January and by April they are already yielding profits. The tourism industry is pretty slow but rewarding in the long run. For instance, as of today, there’s no standard zoo in the whole of the country, there are many individuals with the means but a zoo business wont start yielding till about three years. We have individuals that could build a 10,000 sitter auditorium to host all events, attract WWE to host one of their series in Nigeria, halls that can host world boxing fights, concerts. I, as a person have set up different kinds of outlets that ordinary wasn’t considered. When I set up Corner Pocket, a strictly pool and bar outfit it was strange to many until it started panning out, same thing when I set up Cazzbah Club, again it was seen as strange and people kept telling me how the society might not buy into it. I guess we know the story today. The problem is that we don’t have enough people that believe in the tourism industry just yet to want to do something. You need the likes of Donald Duke, myself to be in the position to deliver on these; just like the owner of la Campagine Tropicana, whispering Palms and co
4. For a state like Delta, does it have anything to showcase as tourism site? Even the Lander Brother’s Anchorage in Asaba, the capital of the state, is not given the kind of attention it deserves.
4. Delta boasts of all sorts of tourism attractions. From the itshekiri land to Urhobo land down to the rich igbo culture in the Anioma land with over 100 tribes and culture between. The Lander brothers, Mungo Park expedition routes are just but a few, cultural heritage, boat regatta, the riverine shores of the central and potential for a port, the hilltop landscapes of Anioma land. Its unfortunate most of our people in government have a believe issue and what you can’t see in your imagination or subconscious,you cannot desire to see u
In reality.
5. Lagos seems to have good beaches that it can turn into money spinning tourism sites but the state government is not doing much about it. Why?
The case of Lagos and the beaches are quite unique and strange. All the beaches except for the Bar Beach belongs to families or communities, which the baale and his cronies run the affairs. It might surprise you to know that the Lagos State governmet has no say. The communities don’t have the money to provide the infrastructures required to keep a beach resort despite the fact that they collect gate fees but share amongst themselves rather than invest it in the business. Hence, when the roads leading to the beach becomes unpassable, the beach shuts down and they wait for the same government they asked to stay away to come help them fix the road so they can stay in business. Alfa Beach, Lekki, Oniru etc are just a few of the examples. The most sensible thing would have been for the communities to approach the goveynment through the waterfront ministry for partnership with a strategic revenue formula but for greed or lack of mutual trust, that just might be a hindrance
6. As a former Vice President of tourism promoters association, have you ever approached the government with a blue print on how it can turn tourism into money spinning machine?
As a tourism professional and practitioner, I’ve approached different agencies of governmet both at federal and states level to submit blueprint for tourism growth but most times its shrugged off because it’s not coming from some white dude or Chinese. I first proposed to the Jonathan government the need to have Visas on arrival back in 2011 and I became an advocate for which I always bring up the issue on every forum I find myself. Drafted a bill to the NASS. If at least first to reciprocate to the countries that grant us Visa on arrival then to individuals we know have real business to do in Nigeria, like when you hear, Guinness president or Nestle Africa manager is coming to visit their company, there should be no hindrance to these. Business people don’t have time to keep going to embassies for Visa issuance. Dubai generates over 4 billion dollars today from just Visa fees with their electronic Visa system. They have grown to tourists today due to the ease of securing their Visa. Most Nigerians planning honeymoon or vacation and have their Visa application turned down by Europe or America take that money and head to UAE with ease and UAE becomes the beneficiary of the largese. Nigeria can achieve better and quicker than most other in sub Sahara Africa.
