For months now, the Nigerian tourism industry has faced regulatory issues, which seem to be unresolved despite efforts from some quarters and concerned stakeholders.

The regulations were answers to the many calls for sweeping reforms in the tourism industry, mainly by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), the umbrella body of private sector tourism.

While the reforms are here, the provisions of the laws seem to antagonize the interest of the private sector, which is survival, especially considering the prevailing economic situations in the country. The laws are coming from the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Act and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) Act, which seem to replicate each other.

Again, the private sector seems not to be carried along or consulted, going by the many contentious issues the laws have raised.

The contentious issues, according to FTAN, have been marked, communicated to the relevant government agencies, and requests for stakeholders’ engagements to deliberate on them before implementations. But the implementations are going on without the reviews, which are at the detriment of the private sector tourism businesses.

The above formed part of the discussions at FTAN’s media parley in Lagos, where the leadership of the federation detailed its achievements for one year in office.

Speaking at the event, which was held at Presken Hotel, Ikeja, Badaki Aliyu, president, FTAN, commended the ongoing reforms across several industries in the…