Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, has formally invited all United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) member countries to the first-ever UNWTO Global Conference on Tourism, Culture, and Creative Industries, which will be held in Lagos from November 14-16, 2022.
“I look forward to welcome you all to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre,” the Minister said during the present 65th Meeting of the UNWTO-Commission for Africa in Arusha, Tanzania.
He informed the gathering that the worldwide conference will be held at the National Theatre, which was built in 1976 as a focal point for celebrating Nigeria’s art and culture and hosted the first Festival of Arts and Culture, widely known as FESTAC, in 1977.
“The National Theatre is now being refurbished and rehabilitated, with four extra verticals being created to cater to music, cinema, fashion, and ICT.” As a result, it is logical that this meeting take place there,” Alhaji Mohammed stated.
The global conference will be attended by delegates from the UNWTO’s 166 member countries, as well as top UNWTO officials and experts, international organisations, stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as civil society working on tourism, cultural and creative industries, and the media.
Previously, the minister spoke at a UNWTO regional conference, where he advocated for the development of efficient aviation connectivity between African countries.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed noted that good aviation connectivity inside Africa is critical to realising the continent’s tourist potential.
The Minister made the statement at the 65th Meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization-Commission for Africa (UNWTO-CAF), which began on Wednesday in Arusha, Tanzania.
“There is no question that air transportation is critical for any international tourism growth (especially in Africa), since visitors must get to the product location.” Air travel remains the most popular form of transportation for foreign visitors, accounting for more than half of all overseas arrivals.
