Lagos to host 166 countries for UN World Tourism Organisation conference

Lagos to host 166 countries for UN World Tourism Organisation conference

Delegates from 166 member countries of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) are billed to participate at its 2022 conference billed to hold in Lagos between Nov. 14 and Nov. 16.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made this known on Saturday in Lagos.

National tourism and culture organisations, international organisations, destination management organisations and stakeholders from the public and private sectors are expected at the conference.

Also expected to participate are civil society organisations working on tourism, cultural and creative industries and the media.

Mohammed told a news conference that delegates would include UNWTO top executives, officials and experts led by the secretary-general, ministers and officials of tourism, culture and arts ministries of member states.

There would be two parallel experts’ workshops, a seminar on tourism and the creative industry and a conference on linking tourism, culture and the creative industry.

The minister noted that there would also be exhibitions on gastronomy, fashion, movie, music, visual arts and more, as well as a special programme on the creative industry tagged “A Day with Nollywood’’.

“According to the UNWTO, tourism is an activity in which the visitors’ essential motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume the tangible and intangible attractions and products in a destination.

“It has positive socio-economic impact, preserves cultural, historical heritage and facilitates harmony and understanding among people.

“The organisation described the creative industry, which includes advertising, architecture, arts and crafts, design, film, video, photography, music, performing arts, and publishing, as the lifeblood of the creative economy.

“It says it is also a growth driver for sustainable development,’’ the minister said.

Mohammed noted that the hosting right for the conference demonstrated the confidence the UNWTO and its member states had in Nigeria and its capacity to host such important and huge conference.

“This will mark the fifth time that Nigeria will be hosting member states of the UNWTO,’’ he stressed.