Sanwo-Olu urges investors to boost sustainable tourism in Lagos
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on investors to partner with the Lagos State Government to create a sustainable tourism ecosystem that taps into Nigeria’s vast human capital and natural resources.
The appeal was made on Monday during the Global Tourism Investment Summit held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.
The summit, organized by the International Tourism and Investment Conference (ITIC), aimed to explore the future of environmentally conscious investments in the tourism sector under the theme, “The Evolving Landscape of the Hospitality Sector: Embracing Green and Sustainable Investments.”
Represented by Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted Lagos’s progress in tourism, arts, and culture and emphasized the need for strategic partnerships to further enhance the state’s tourism offerings.
Speaking as a keynote speaker, he outlined his administration’s achievements in integrating arts, fashion, and music to promote Lagos tourism worldwide.
“Our government is intentional about improving the tourism ecosystem in Lagos. That’s why entertainment and tourism are major pillars in our THEMES+ development agenda,” Sanwo-Olu said. “Since the start of this administration, we have trained thousands of youths in creative fields like film, animation, and music production and provided grants to industry professionals to support Lagos as Africa’s creative hub.”
The Governor also underscored the role of private investment in realizing Lagos’s vision for a thriving and sustainable tourism industry. He invited investors to collaborate with the government in building a world-class tourism infrastructure that capitalizes on Lagos’s unique cultural assets.
Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman of the International Tourism Investment Corporation Ltd., and former UNWTO Secretary-General, along with Ibrahim Ayoub, ITIC Group CEO, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to positioning Lagos as a global tourism destination.
The Global Tourism Investment Summit, which brings together industry leaders, developers, and policymakers, is a key platform for fostering sustainable tourism investments, shaping the future of the global tourism industry.
