Kaduna based tourism expert, Dr. Tobi Bernard Thomas, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the choice of his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, as the Nigeria’s Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action.
Dr. Thomas who is the Kaduna state Coordinator of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) described Ngelale’s choice for the position as a well deserved appointment that will produce positive result for the country in the future. The expert made this position known in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Monday, while highlighting the important and the relationship between climate change and tourism.
He commended President Tinubu on the Green Economy Initiatives, stating that the initiatives are in line with his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, and if sustained it will promote tourism attraction to the country and grow the nation’s economy.
Dr. Thomas added that the importance of green economy is that it encourages economies to become more sustainable and low-carbon, and ensures that natural assets continue to provide the resources and environmental services for nation’s continued wellbeing.
According to the expert, climate change affects the hospitality sector, just as he added that extreme weather is increasing the cost of operations and reducing the number of tourists visiting certain destinations, while local and national environmental policies and penalties are being introduced in cities and countries around the world.
He urged Nigeria’s Envoy on Climate Action; Ngelale to do everything within his power as stated by his appointment schedule to ensure that natural and physical environments, such as mountains, coastlines, lakes, rivers, animals, and their habitats are friendly to tourists.
This is just as the expert added that tourism makes one of the most important contributions to sustainable development due to its dynamism and growth, which directly impact economic growth in regions and tourist destinations, as well as the fact that tourism contributes to the growth of the economy.
