The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) has called for a technology-driven approach to storytelling and destination marketing to reposition tourism as a major pillar of Nigeria’s economy.
The association’s president, Femi Fadina, made the call in an interview with reporters in Lagos on Thursday.
Speaking on Global Tourism Resilience Day (GTRD), Fadina said its observance marked a shift from fragmented storytelling to coordinated economic activation.
He noted that the country’s cultural assets had endured insecurity, pandemics, and shifts in global travel patterns.
“Yet our festivals continue. Our palaces still stand. Our crafts still thrive. That is resilience,” he said.
According to him, for Nigeria, observing the GTRD means three commitments: protecting peace, preserving heritage, and projecting culture through technology.
However, Fadina stressed that Nigeria must take ownership of its tourism narrative through digital platforms, structured tourism development, and immersive media.
“This is important because no destination grows without stability.
“For decades, Nigeria’s tourism narrative has been told by outsiders—fragmented, diluted, and sometimes misunderstood.
“Through technology, digital storytelling, immersive media, and structured tourism development, we are telling our story ourselves: accurately, proudly, and profitably,” he said.
He underscored the need to match resilience with strategy to deliver economic impact.
“Resilience without strategy is wasted strength,” he said.
Fadina said ATPN was promoting a technology-driven storytelling framework, including virtual heritage mapping, digital archives, festival livestream commerce, and youth-led content innovation.
According to him, Nigeria’s diverse cultural communities—including the Ife civilization, Awori settlements, Igbo enterprise, and Ishan heritage—represent economic ecosystems that can be amplified through tourism.
“We will document our palaces. We will digitize our festivals. We will package our culinary traditions.
“We will create platforms where culture meets commerce.
“We will monetize it intelligently,” he stated.
Fadina noted that tourism remained one of the most inclusive industries, activating multiple sectors and supporting livelihoods.
“One festival activates transporters, hoteliers, caterers, artisans, security services, content creators, and local governments.
“One heritage site, properly structured, can sustain thousands of livelihoods.
“I started from the road as a tour operator; I now lead at the national table, but my mission remains the same.
“I turn holidays into wealth and festivals into sustainable economies,” he said.
He urged governments, private investors, traditional institutions, youth innovators, and the diaspora to align efforts toward coordinated tourism development.
“Tourism is not entertainment. It is structured revenue, diplomatic power, and community development.
“Nigeria must not lack coordination,” he said.
Global Tourism Resilience Day is celebrated annually on February 17 as a timely reminder that tourism must withstand and recover from shocks.
