The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests and businesses of its members while pursuing policies and initiatives aimed at growing Nigeria’s tourism industry and positioning it as a major contributor to economic development, investment and job creation.
At a press conference marking one year of the current administration, themed, “Changing the Narrative: Tackling the Structural Challenges of Nigeria’s Tourism Industry Through the Tourism Transformation Mandate (TTM),” FTAN President, Dr. Badaki Aliyu, said the federation’s priority over the past year has been to address long-standing challenges affecting operators and build a stronger, more influential organised private tourism sector.
The federation said its first year in office was not merely about recording achievements but about laying a foundation for sustainable growth by identifying structural problems in the industry and implementing practical solutions that would benefit tourism operators and businesses.
According to FTAN, one of its major achievements has been the adoption of the Tourism Transformation Mandate (TTM) as its strategic blueprint for repositioning the industry and strengthening the organised private sector.
The federation disclosed that it has commenced the implementation of a comprehensive work plan, strengthened its secretariat and introduced more inclusive engagement with member associations to ensure that the interests of operators are adequately represented.
As part of plans to deepen its reach and improve coordination among stakeholders, FTAN said it would strengthen its state chapters through the inauguration of zonal structures in the second year of the current administration.
The federation also reiterated its determination to ensure that industry practitioners play a central role in tourism policy formulation and implementation, noting that policy inconsistencies and fragmented regulations have negatively impacted businesses and discouraged investment.
FTAN said it had intensified advocacy for policy reforms and consistently represented private sector interests in national tourism policy discussions, including engagements surrounding the implementation of the NIHOTOUR and NTDA Acts.
To create a more enabling environment for businesses, the federation pledged to continue advocating for policy alignment, regulatory reforms and investment-friendly tourism policies that will support operators across the tourism value chain.
The association further highlighted its efforts to rebuild productive working relationships with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and other government agencies to ensure greater collaboration between government and the organised private sector.
Looking ahead, FTAN said it plans to leverage regional partnerships and international cooperation to create more opportunities for tourism businesses in Nigeria.
The federation noted that it had restored its institutional relationship with the ECOWAS Commission, strengthened collaboration with COPITOUR and other development partners and expanded engagement with regional tourism organisations to boost cross-border partnerships and investment opportunities.
As part of its growth strategy, FTAN said it had repositioned the Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) into a broader regional investment platform capable of attracting investors, development partners, state governments and tourism businesses.
The federation also announced that the 2026 edition of NTIFE would host the COPITOUR Executive Meeting in Abuja with the support of ECOWAS, providing a major platform for regional cooperation, investment promotion and business networking.
To further protect and promote the interests of its members, FTAN pledged to intensify advocacy and strategic communication aimed at increasing public awareness and stakeholder confidence in the tourism sector.
The federation said it would continue implementing the Tourism Transformation Mandate, strengthen collaboration with governments and international institutions, and build a more united and influential organised private tourism sector capable of driving national transformation.
FTAN expressed confidence that the foundations laid in its first year in office have repositioned both the federation and the organised private sector to play a more significant role in shaping the future of tourism in Nigeria.
The federation called on governments, investors, development partners and industry practitioners to join hands in advancing the vision of a globally competitive, investment-driven and sustainable tourism industry that will create opportunities for businesses and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic diversification.
