At the 8th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Stella Fubara delivered a compelling speech centered on the theme “Tourism as a Catalyst for Progress, Peace, and Partnerships.” Addressing a diverse audience of tour operators and tourism professionals, Fubara highlighted the crucial role of tour operators in creating and sharing unique cultural experiences.
“Tour operators are responsible for curating experiences. Think about what you have locally and make a cultural story from it, then tell that story globally,” Fubara urged. She emphasized the importance of leveraging social media for global outreach, stating, “If you’re not using social media, you’re doing business with your neighbor. You need to go globally.”
Fubara also spoke about the need for collaboration among industry players. She acknowledged the competitive nature of Nigeria’s tourism sector but pointed out the vast opportunities available. “Don’t be scared of competitions. If used wisely, they can be great, but they can also be a detriment. You can work together to push a product.”
Highlighting the importance of intentionality in tourism development, Fubara drew examples from Dubai and Saudi Arabia, which have successfully harnessed their resources to grow their tourism industries. “Tourism does not happen by accident. Private practice is what grows tourism. Make yourself valuable so people can work with you,” she advised.
Fubara’s address underscored the importance of strategic planning, collaboration, and proactive efforts in the tourism sector, inspiring attendees to harness their local resources and stories for global success.
