Director –General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Folorunsho Coker, has advocated for the use of billboards in strategic places to further project Nigeria’s cultural heritage and boost tourism.
Mr Coker made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The director General said that having such platforms to portray Nigeria’s image would boost the tourism industry.
He said that picture speaks a million times better than words hence the need to use such in projecting the nation’s image.
Mr Coker added that having some of the historical and cultural images at the nation’s point of entry such as billboards would also help tell better stories.
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According to him, the corporation is advocating for a cross-industry support from everyone, as having access to those spaces will project the country’s image and market its products.
He decried the nonexistence of country’s heritage at the nation’s point of entries to showcase “what we are and what we stand for.
“There is need to showcase to the world the positive image of the country through objects, wears and lifestyle that portray the country’s identity , culture and tourist sites.
“We have tried to do a lot of branding at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja but we were not given the space.
“If you look at the hang way from the aircraft to the terminal, it has been sold out to one bank or the other for advert and commercial purposes, to me, all is not about commerce.
“I strongly believe there is need to project positive image about where you are and the things that are available in the country, as seen in other countries at their point of entry.
“We should be given these spaces at the airports, train stations, the National Assembly and Villa to rotate the positive image of the country for free because we are not earning from it.
“And having such spaces will give us an opportunity to sell our products and a point of inquiry on our cuisine, fashion, waterfalls, among others to tourist coming into the country,” coker said.
He stated that producing a good image of Nigerian cuisine, fashion, others in high resolution photography at point of entry would also help in marketing the nation’s rich heritage.
Speaking on packages that would help tourism thrive, he emphasised the need for a total package that was easy to sell , buy and consume adding that it would encourage tourists to visit Nigeria.
He however called on Stakeholders in tourism industry, hotel owners and airline operators to synergise and produce a package that would help tourism thrive in the country.
Mr Coker noted that if packages such as transportation, accommodation, tourist sites among others were put in place, it would further encourage tourists to visit and partake from the rich and beautiful identity of the country.
The Director General, therefore, reiterated the commitment of the corporation towards improving the tourism industry to further improve the nation’s revenue.
NAN
