NIHOTOUR and South Africa’s Consul General strengthen Nigeria-South Africa tourism collaboration, focusing on training, security, and cultural diplomacy
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has taken a major step towards strengthening Nigeria-South Africa relations in hospitality, tourism, and travel.
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This follows a strategic visit by Professor Bobby J. Monroe, the Consul General of the Republic of South Africa in Lagos, to NIHOTOUR’s headquarters in Abuja.
During the visit, he engaged with the Director General/CEO of NIHOTOUR, Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, FIMC, to discuss collaborative efforts aimed at fostering deeper ties between both nations.
Aare Abisoye Fagade highlighted the vast potential of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sector, citing the recent success of Lagos’ Detty December as an example of the country’s growing influence in global tourism.
He stressed the need for tourism to be leveraged as a tool for enhancing security perceptions and promoting peaceful coexistence between Nigeria and South Africa. According to him, a robust cultural and training exchange between both nations could help eradicate xenophobia and strengthen mutual understanding.
“Tourism is not just about travel and hospitality; it is a bridge that connects cultures, fosters understanding, and drives economic growth. Through structured training, knowledge exchange, and mutual collaboration, we can dispel misconceptions, improve security narratives, and build a future where Nigerians and South Africans see each other as partners, not rivals,” he stated.
The discussions outlined several key areas of collaboration, including hospitality and tourism training exchange, which aims to enhance capacity building through joint training programmes and certification initiatives between NIHOTOUR and South African institutions.
Cultural diplomacy was also a major focus, with plans to use cultural tourism to promote stronger people-to-people connections and combat stereotypes.
Additionally, both parties explored opportunities to improve security and perception management by showcasing Nigeria’s advancements in tourism security to attract South African tourists and investors.
Another crucial aspect of the collaboration includes joint tourism development projects to encourage cross-border investments in hospitality and tourism infrastructure.
Professor Monroe reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening ties with NIHOTOUR, underscoring the importance of African nations uniting through tourism and leveraging cultural diversity for economic prosperity.
He emphasised that Nigeria and South Africa, as leading economies on the continent, must work together to boost tourism and hospitality, creating a model for sustainable collaboration in Africa.
NIHOTOUR remains committed to positioning Nigeria as a leader in tourism education, regulation, and sustainable development while fostering international partnerships that drive sectoral growth.
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Both parties resolved to vigorously pursue the opportunities presented by this collaboration, ensuring mutual benefits for Nigeria and South Africa.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
