Cultural tourism, a way out of Nigeria economic predicament —Wole Duro-Ladipo

Cultural tourism, a way out of Nigeria economic predicament —Wole Duro-Ladipo

April 20, 2016

Cultural tourism has been identified as an alternative to oil that can help the country out of its present economic predicament if government at all levels provides the enabling environment.

This was disclosed by an international tourism ambassador and the Chief Executive Officer of Impeccable First Eye Concept, Wole Akanni Duro- Ladipo, in Akure, Ondo, while speaking with journalists, he said cultural tourism can augment and provide alternative revenue source for the ailing economy.

He noted that the country was blessed with abundant resources capable of drawing international attention to various tourist centres in Nigeria which would bring more financial gain to communities and the country at large.

He explained that some cultural values of the Yoruba nation have been moving gradually towards extinction especially among Yoruba citizens in Diaspora who have relegated Yoruba core cultural values to the background.

According to him, “ Research revealed that most of the African children, especially Yorubas growing up in America loved African culture, but their parents are not helping them in understanding Yoruba culture, customs and heritage”.

He, however, said this was one of the reasons the Impeccable First Eye Concepts has been organising annual Yoruba Cultural Festival in Dallas, America by bringing people of Yoruba extraction together to educate and talk to them about core Yoruba cultural value.

The cultural ambassador who is the son of late actor, Duro-Ladipo, disclosed that the fifth edition of the festival will come up in September 2016 and will feature symposium, lectures, cultural display of Yoruba value and ethics and dance.

He said, “ For instance, lesbianism and gay are alien to African and Yoruba culture, ethics and values and we must educate our growing children on these and other things that are regarded as taboos to Yoruba nation and its culture.

“About five traditional rulers, leading Yoruba cultural ambassadors and artists have been billed to witness and partake in this year edition of Yoruba Cultural Festival. The wife of the late actor, Mrs Abiodun Durodola-Ladipo and another actor, Aderupoko will be in Dallas for this special edition of Yoruba Festival in Dallas.”

He, however, encourages Nigerians on cultural tourism, urging them to take time to go on vacation by visiting tourist attractions while he advised Nigerians to visit this year’s edition of cultural festival in Dallas.

Akanni Duro-Ladipo said plans were on going to replicate the Yoruba Cultural Festival in Nigeria, saying that the first edition of the programme might come up in Ile Ife next year where the cultural value and ethics of Yoruba will be showcased.

He said this would boost the economy of the country explaining that people who are culturally inclined will travel from all parts of the world to witness the display of Yoruba culture and heritage.

He called on government and private investors to invest in the cultural tourism saying “this will reduce the level of unemployment and increase economic value of hotel business in the country.”

He highlighted some challenges facing the tourism world in the country that must be overcome in order to have an effective and income-generating tourist industry, which include; provision of necessary infrastructure and creation of enabling environment for these products.

He explained that personnel needed to be trained to provide the necessary services to tourists must be trained, especially those providing hospitality and entertainment services  to make the country friendly to international visitors and make them feel comfortable.