Nigeria’s ecotourism future came into sharp focus yesterday as the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) held its highly anticipated annual general meeting and conference in Akure, Ondo State.
Themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Ecotourism Untapped Treasure: A Catalyst for Empowering Tourism Entrepreneurs,”
The event brought together stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to discuss how to turn Nigeria’s natural assets into thriving economic opportunities.
The conference spotlighted iconic eco-destinations such as Idanre Hills, Araromi Beach, and La Campagne Tropicana Resort as key drivers of tourism development in Nigeria’s Southwest and beyond.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Fagade Abisoye, Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), emphasized the need for strategic investment in community-based tourism and training.
“We must ensure that our natural attractions are not only preserved but transformed into sustainable income-generating hubs for local people,” Dr. Abisoye remarked.
Meanwhile, President of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) Alhaja Bolaji Mustapha underscored the association’s goal to strengthen public-private partnerships, support indigenous tour operators, and promote lesser-known destinations across Nigeria.
“It’s time to move beyond Lagos and Abuja. Ondo is rich with heritage, hills, and beaches waiting to be explored and marketed,” She stated.
Adding a visionary touch to the conversation, CEO, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Dr. Wande Akinboboye in his presentation, shed highlight on how nature-based tourism has become a viable model for attracting both domestic and international tourists.
“We are sitting on a goldmine of eco-experiences. Let’s give them structure, quality, and creativity, and the world will come,” Boboye said.
Key takeaways from the conference include calls for improved infrastructure to eco-sites, empowerment of local entrepreneurs with training and funding, and stronger collaboration between states and tour operators with a focus on positioning Ondo state and other regions as emerging tourism hubs and as well make ecotourism a core driver of Nigeria’s economic diversification.
