Harnessing The Tourism Potentials Of Lagos State

When the Lagos Black Heritage festival was conceptualised a few years ago, only a few believed it could be sustained, just like every other lofty idea that died after a few years.

Like the Calabar festival that comes up every December in Cross River State, the Lagos Black Heritage festival has come to stay.

The Lagos festival, which held between 2-9 April 2012 showcased African creativity ranging from dance, music, painting, photo exhibition, drama, beauty pageant, symposium and cultural displays to a colourful boat regatta.

Over the years corporate bodies like Diamond Bank, MTN, Nigerian Breweries Plc and a host of others, have contributed to making the event a huge success. And more are joining the train.

The Black Heritage festival could become that thing we have been looking for if properly harnessed. The turnout over the years has been impressive and this could be the money spinner we have been searching for.

Visitors and tourists at this year’s festival all acknowledged that it was an impressive outing. From far away Europe and America, visitors flocked to Lagos State to witness the seven-day fiesta and most said they were impressed. Within those seven days, the hospitality industry made brisk business and many of them smiled to the banks, but we can do more.

The Lagos State government needs to encourage more private sector sponsorship of the different tiers of the events, because it cannot continue to sponsor it alone due to other obligations expected of government.

Tax holidays or rebate on taxes for corporate bodies that help push the hospitality industry might not be a bad idea. We need tourism now more than ever as the city keeps growing amid dwindling resources to develop and maintain infrastructure.

Our ferry terminals, roads and the light rail are projects that consume billions of naira, and to recoup such investments, we need to develop alternative means of generating revenue.

For Kenya, South Africa, The Gambia and even neighbouring Ghana, tourism rakes in millions of dollars and these countries continue to promote and encourage the industry.

Our beaches must be made safe for visitors, not only during public holidays but all round the year. Hotels that are yet to be registered must be made to comply, while security should be boosted in all nooks and crannies of the state.

Visitors must be made to be welcome; right from the airport to their hotel rooms. We believe the turnout for the Lagos Black Heritage festival is just a tip of the iceberg in terms of tourism development in Lagos State.

There are many other tourist attractions begging for attention in Lagos. If only the government could look towards them, we could kick-start the industry and rake in more money. With good roads and navigable waters, boat cruises and bus rides are sure ways of encouraging tourism in the state.

The sate of aquatic splendour can make its money from tourism if only it expands its scope in the sector.

The first step, organising events that pull the crowd, is a good one. It now needs to be exploited and harnessed. Night clubbing and the cinema culture are creeping back.