In order to advance the tourist and hospitality industries, Nigerian visa regulations need to be reviewed, according to industry stakeholders.
The request was made by the stakeholders at a conference that Vertiline Synergy Limited hosted in Lagos on Friday.
They criticised the difficult procedure that specialists had to go through to obtain a visa, emphasising that this had contributed to the declining fortunes of the tourism industry, which they pointed out might be a substitute source of revenue for the government.
During a keynote speech, Sally Okpo, the founder of Suffy Travels Limited, listed a number of challenges facing the tourism industry, including a lack of infrastructure, economic problems, and strict visa regulations.
Okpo went on to say that another factor in the downturn of the tourism industry is the unfavourable opinion that Nigerians have of their nation.
She said, “Proper development of tourism can make it a major economic driver. However, challenges exist. Infrastructure needs improvement, and global perception which often focuses on negative perception especially being promoted by Nigerians needs to be stopped.
“Addressing these challenges is key to unlocking the potential of the tourism sector. The government should assist tourism for economic growth by putting infrastructures in place like good roads, hotel facilities, electricity and water.
“Our visa regime is so stringent. To get a visa is very difficult. We need to have bilateral partnerships with different countries in a way that they can come to this country visa-free.
“We should begin to look into having such partnerships with countries that allow visa-free entries for Nigerians and we also reciprocate the same for other countries. This will help us to develop tourism in Nigeria.”
In a similar stand, Sharon Ashinze, Managing Partner of Vertiline Synergy Limited, pointed out that in addition to tackling the region’s problems with poverty and insecurity, the government should make sure that the visa application process is made simpler in order to eliminate obstacles that applicants frequently encounter.
Ashinze said, “If you are trying to promote tourism in your country, everything needs to be simplified. Even when you have stringent visa policies, there should not be bottlenecks.
“If the process is online, let everything be online so that whatever I want to do will be done online. Issues concerning delays in issuing visas should also be addressed.”
Speaking through her Special Advisor on Media, Elizabeth Ofili, the Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John responded by saying that her ministry is working with the Ministry of Interior to make sure that the strict visa regulations are examined.
She repeatedly brought up the investment opportunities in the tourist sector and urged stakeholders to work with the government to realise the sector’s potential.
She repeatedly brought up the investment opportunities in the tourist sector and urged stakeholders to work with the government to realise the sector’s potential.
“Some changes have been made already to make the process easier. We are working with the relevant ministry to see how we can make the process easier. Nigeria stands at the forefront of Africa’s hospitality landscape, offering a wealth of investment prospects.
