Nigeria is looking to draw lessons from China’s tourism development experience as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to position tourism as a driver of economic growth, job creation and investment.
This was the focus of a seminar on “China’s Tourism Development Experience on Tuesday, as Nigeria and China mark 55 years of diplomatic relations and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
The seminar, organised by the Chinese Embassy in collaboration with the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), brought together government officials, tourism experts and industry stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, NIHOTOUR Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, said Nigeria has the cultural assets, people and destinations required to build a thriving tourism industry, but needs stronger systems to convert those resources into sustainable economic value.
Fagade said his recent participation in a tourism development programme in Beijing offered first-hand insight into how China has used tourism to promote economic development, cultural preservation, rural revitalisation, skills development and community prosperity.
He stressed that Nigeria should learn from China’s experience without simply copying its model.
According to him, the lessons must be adapted to Nigeria’s realities while strengthening local capacity and institutions.
Fagade also identified opportunities for stronger collaboration between NIHOTOUR and Chinese tourism institutions, particularly in professional training, curriculum development, tourism research, digital transformation, rural and cultural tourism, destination management and knowledge exchange.
He said the implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act would further support professionalism, skills development and standards across Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.
“Nigeria has the culture. Nigeria has the people. Nigeria has the destinations. What we now need is the capacity, coordination and commitment to turn these assets into prosperity,” Fagade said.
Also speaking, Counsellor Yang Jianxing of the Chinese Embassy said tourism provides an important bridge between people, nations and cultures, noting that both Nigeria and China have vast tourism potential.
He said China’s tourism sector has developed significant expertise in smart tourism, destination development, public tourism services, cultural integration, market promotion and talent development.
Yang called for a two-way exchange, stressing that while Nigeria can learn from China’s experience, China can also benefit from Nigeria’s tourism strengths.
He identified tourism education, talent development, hotel management, eco-tourism, cultural heritage preservation, digitalisation, destination marketing and business partnerships as areas where both countries could deepen cooperation.
The seminar featured Dai Bin, President of the China Tourism Academy and Director of the Data Centre of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as keynote speaker.
The NTDA Director General, Dr. Ola Awakan, who is currently in China on a working visit, was represented at the event by the agency’s Director of Human Resources Management, Mr. Oladipo.
In his goodwill message, Awakan said China’s transformation into one of the world’s leading tourism destinations demonstrates the importance of strategic planning, infrastructure, investment, destination branding, digital innovation, human capital and public-private partnerships.
He said the engagement provides an opportunity to deepen Nigeria-China cooperation in tourism investment, capacity building, destination development, cultural exchanges, research and innovation.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that stronger tourism cooperation between both countries would help Nigeria unlock the economic potential of its tourism assets while creating jobs, investment opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.