The Federal Ministry of Tourism, in partnership with the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, will train tour operators and tour guides in Ekiti State as part of the EcoGenesis Incubator Series.
The EcoGenesis Incubator Series is an initiative of the Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John.
It is a sustainable tourism entrepreneurship programme that targets residents of tourist host communities, including women, youths, and small cottage services that form parts of the destination’s experiences for visitors.
This is the second edition of the programme, which is being executed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
According to a statement signed by the spokesperson NIHOTOUR, Joesef Karim, on Thursday, the upskilling training will be held from March 31 to April 2, 2024, in Ekiti.
“Ekiti State Bureau for Tourism Development will host the training and nominate local tour operators and tour guides to be trained.
“This latest EcoGenesis Incubator Series training in Ekiti State is coming on the hills of the success of the maiden EcoGenesis Incubator training recently held in Makurdi, Benue State,” Karim said.
Speaking on the EcoGenesis Incubator training in Ekiti, Ade-John stated that it was essential for the government to provide facilities for training and upskilling of personnel in the sector.
The minister said, “The capacity of host community tourism and hospitality operators, including tour operators and tour guides, are central to overall destination experiences of tourists, both domestic and inbound tourists.
“Therefore, it is essential that the government provides facilities for basic training, retraining and upskilling of personnel working in the sector, across the country.
“With the EcoGenesis Incubator Series, the government is providing a dynamic platform that will catalyze innovation and drive economic empowerment of citizens and service providers in tourism host communities and destinations.
“This will eventually lift many out of poverty by leveraging on the abundant tourism opportunities inherent in our communities across the nation.”
On his part, the Director General, NIHOTOUR, Nura Kangiwa, noted, “Globally, in tourism development management, tour operators and tour guides are the levers of the destination’s tourism push and pull factors.
“It is the industry actions of tour operators and tour guides that determine tourists’ arrivals and receipts in host communities.
“Tourism products, both domestic and inbound, are generally packaged by tour operators and guides resident in the destination.”