The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) is the apex tourism agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Established in 1992, the NTDC is charged with the overall responsibility of promoting, marketing, and coordinating tourism activities in the country.
Specific Objectives of the NTDC
The NTDC has several specific objectives aimed at developing and promoting tourism in Nigeria:
- Creating the enabling environment for tourism activities to flourish through the promotion of good standards and efficient service delivery in the hospitality industry and to facilitate investment sector.
- Making tourism a major revenue earner by harnessing the country’s rich cultural heritage and other tourism assets with an efficient, proactive and highly motivated work force.
- Standardising and sanitising the industry through registration, inspection, classification and grading of the Hospitality and Tourism enterprises to meet international standard and ensure customer satisfaction.
- Publicising and promoting Nigeria’s endowments through print and electronic media/internet, production of quality brochures, flyers, guide maps, documentaries and active participation at local and international fairs/exhibitions.
- Ensuring the provision of reliable and up-to-date tourism statistical data, establishment of tourism Data Bank and implementation of Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) to assess the impact of tourism in the national economy.
- Liaising with other government agencies such as Immigration Service, Federal office of Statistics, CBN, National Population Commission, to produce Annual Tourism Statistical Data and Tourism Satellite Account.
- Identifying, assessing and documenting tourism sites bans attractions for investment and promotion purposes.
- Establishing and enforcing codes of conduct for travel, trade and business operators.
- Liaising with relevant government ministries and agencies to ensure the provision of necessary infrastructures to tourism sites.
- Providing technical and advisory services to public and private sector operators in the tourism industry.
- Planning, coordinating, assisting in the development of tourists sites throughout the country.
- Ensuring the maintenance of standards within the industry.
- Ensuring the establishment of tourism Development Fund(TDF) to provide financial assistance to practitioners and developers.
- Ensuring the promotion and marketing of the tourism products and services within and outside the country.
- Facilitating and encouraging private sector and local communities participation in the development of the tourism industry.
- Promoting technical and professional tourism services.
- Growing Nigeria’s Tourism Industry.
Key Functions and Responsibilities
The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) is the foremost Federal Government Tourism regulatory agency responsible for the development, promotion and marketing of Nigeria’s vast tourism products and potentials, within and outside the borders of Nigeria.
The NTDA has the following functions:
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- To grow the tourism value chain for revenue generation and job creation through innovative projects.
- To re-invent the tourism industry through Public-Private Partnerships.
- Building capacity of tourism stakeholders, including training and capacity-building programs for industry professionals.
The NTDC collaborates with other government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and international organizations to promote the development of the tourism industry.
The National Travel Bureau (NTB)
The National Travel Bureau (NTB), established by decree 81 of 1992, is a tour operating company responsible for tour services and operations within and outside Nigeria.
The Bureau acts as the commercial arm of NTDA, conducting guided tours/excursions, Bus Rental Services, Travel Consultancy and Tour Guide Services.
The vision for the establishment of a National Travel Bureau was that of the Nigerian Tourist Association.
It was done at that time to ensure that guided tours, sightseeing and package holidays are in place.
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Nigeria's Tourism Potential
Home to approximately 192 million inhabitants, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, has one of the largest populations of youth, and the seventh most populous country in the world.
The Nigerian people are blessed with a positive spirit and unique way of life that reflects across their Entertainment, Sports, Art & Culture industries.
‘Nollywood’, the local film industry is the third largest in the world and the country maintains pioneering status with its music which have played major roles in influencing contemporary world music.
Nigeria boasts of the largest economy in Africa and is classified as a mixed economy emerging market, and has already reached lower middle-income status according to the World Bank, with its abundant supply of natural resources, well-developed financial, legal, communications, transportation and stock exchange (the Nigerian Stock Exchange).
It is projected to have the highest average GDP growth in the world in 2010 - 2050.
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"Time Travel Adventures: Exploring Nigeria's Rich Cultural Heritage!"
Historical Context
In 1962, the Nigerian Tourist Association was established, without regulatory authorities.
In 1976, the Supreme Military Council ruling the country issued Decree No.
The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation was established in 1992 by Decree No.
The National Council on Commerce and Tourism was also created and entrusted with the coordination of the planning and development of tourism.
In 2017, the Nigerian Senate voted to amend the 1992 Act,[5] in renaming the agency as the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority and, among other things, allow it to set up a tour operating company, named National Travel Bureau, that would offer services within and outside Nigeria.
Leadership
Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo was Director General until she was dismissed in November 2016.
