Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture has granted the Kebbi state government official permission to host Nigeria’s observance and celebration of 2021 ‘World Tourism Day’ (WTD), slated for September 27.
The permission was contained in a statement issued to newsmen by the National Institute Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) on Saturday, in Abuja, signed by Joesef Karim, Special Assistant to the institute’s Director General, Nura Kangiwa.
Every Sept. 27, is marked as a WTD by the United Nations. It is globally observed to create awareness about tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic contributions to tourist destinations and host communities.
In recent history, WTD had become an occasion to equally x-ray the contributions of the sector to the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to the statement, Kebbi state officials, in Birnin Kebbi, had equally confirmed their readiness to host the activities lined-up by the Ministry for this year’s WTD in Nigeria.
The statement added that Kebbi state would highlight the country’s rich cultural tourism destinations and leading products.
“This year, the programme of events for Nigeria will run for four days, culminating in a grand finale, which is from September 24 to 27 in Argungu.
“It is noteworthy that, Argungu Emirate is the host community of the prestigious International Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival, which is Nigeria’s flagship cultural tourism jamboree.
“Recently, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation announced the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day as “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”.
“This is an opportunity to look beyond tourism statistics and acknowledge that behind every number there is a person.
”UNWTO invites its Member States, as well as non-members, sister UN agencies, businesses and individuals to celebrate tourism’s unique ability to ensure that nobody is left behind as the world begins to open up again and look to the future,” the statement said.
Kangiwa, DG of NIHOTOUR, who happens to be the Turakin Kebbi, and also a member of Nigeria’s 2021 WTD events planning committee, has listed the activities planned for Nigeria’s Tourism Day observance.
The activities include: international media briefings, mini-durbar by the Argungu Emirate Council, scintillating cultural displays, charity polo matches, guided tour of prominent tourist sites, alongside the turbaning of the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, as the ‘Kaakakin’ Kebbi.
Membership of the Planning Committee for Nigeria’s WTD 2021 observance includes the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation and the organised tourism private sector, among other stakeholders.
