Nigeria can double her GDP through tourism—Enugu IRS boss
By Ben Ezechim
The Chairman of Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Prince Emeka Odo has described the Tourism Sector as very vital to the growth of the Nigerian economy.
The IRS chairman stated this during the presentation of a book on Hospitality and Tourism Management in Enugu.
The book was written by Hon. Steve Odo, General Manager/CEO, Enugu State Tourism Board.
He said that if the right infrastructure and investment were put in place, the sector would boost Nigeria’s economy and improve the national Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
“Tourism is a very vital sector of the Nigerian economy:
“This sector is so important that it contributed almost three per cent to the country’s GDP in 2020.
“This is equal to 11 Billion US Dollars and the potentials are yet untapped.”
“Tourism experts believe that, if the right policies, laws, investments, and infrastructure are put in place, the tourism sector’s contribution to our national GDP can double in the medium term, ” he said.
Odo, who was also the chairman of the occasion added that tourism contributes for over Ten per cent of the GDP in countries like Kenya, Gambia, Fiji, and some Carribean Countries.
“In those countries, the tourism and hospitality sectors thrive well and contribute more than Ten percent of their GDP, ” he said.
He commended the author of the book for finding time and space to write despite his tight schedule.
He said that the 259 page book was a must read for hospitality and tourism professionals/practitioners as well as those in managerial fields and the academia.
He noted that the large gathering at the occasion was a clear evidence that writing and reading is still very much alive in the country despite other indicators to the contrary.
