Lagos has taken a major step toward data-driven tourism planning with the inaugural unveiling of the Lagos Smart Tourism Index (LSTI) Report, a first-of-its-kind assessment designed to measure the city’s tourism competitiveness against leading destinations across Africa and the world.
The report, published by Dr. Iyadunni Gbadebo and unveiled at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, presents a comprehensive framework for evaluating Lagos’ tourism ecosystem using international best practices drawn from the OECD, UN Tourism (UNWTO), academic research, industry stakeholder engagement and field observations.
“The Lagos Smart Tourism Index is more than a report; it is a roadmap for measuring where we are today and guiding where we need to be. If Lagos is to compete with Africa’s leading tourism destinations, our decisions must be driven by data, measurable outcomes and continuous improvement,” said Dr. Gbadebo who is also Director of Sales and Marketing at Eko Hotels & Suites.
According to the report, Lagos possesses many of the ingredients required to become one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations, including its vibrant cultural scene, thriving entertainment industry, business tourism, hospitality sector and creative economy. However, it notes that potential alone is insufficient without deliberate planning and coordinated execution. The study identifies several areas where Lagos and by extension Nigeria, must improve to compete with Africa’s top tourism destinations such as Cape Town, Marrakech, Kigali and Mauritius. Among the critical gaps highlighted are infrastructure deficiencies, visitor navigation systems, digital tourism integration, destination coordination and global destination perception.
The report also points to encouraging indicators of Lagos’ growing tourism economy. It notes that the state welcomed 18,273 international visitors in 2024, while the Detty December 2024 festivities generated an estimated US$71.6 million in economic activity. It further highlights the Lagos State Government’s investment of more than ₦8.4 billion in 143 cultural, arts and tourism events, underscoring public-sector commitment to destination development. Rather than serving as a promotional publication, the LSTI is presented as a management tool that allows policymakers and industry stakeholders to measure progress, benchmark performance and guide investment decisions over time. The report emphasizes that world-class destinations are built on measurable performance rather than assumptions, arguing that tourism conversations should increasingly be driven by evidence, accountability and continuous improvement.
It concludes that while Lagos has established itself as West Africa’s entertainment capital, sustained investment in infrastructure, digital innovation, destination management and coordinated tourism planning will determine whether it can compete with Africa’s most successful tourism cities. It could be recalled that Dr. Iyadunni Gbadebo won the coveted Top 100 Africa Travel Women award at the 18th Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos in 2022.
Former Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, Lagos State Governor’s Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture Idris Aregbe, renowned textile icon Chief Mrs. Nike Davies-Okundaye, and Danny Kioupouroglou, General Manager of Eko Hotels & Suites, were among dignitaries who attended the inaugural unveiling of the Lagos Smart Tourism Index (LSTI) Report
