The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says 26 African Tourism Ministers, 166 foreign delegates and 332 Nigerian delegates will attend the UN Tourism Conference starting in Abuja on Monday.

The minister disclosed this on Sunday in Abuja at a pre-conference media briefing he jointly addressed with the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili,

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Pololikashvili and UNTWO executive members arrived in Nigeria, early Sunday morning for the 61st UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) conference holding from June 4 to June 6 in Abuja.

Nigeria, last year, won the right to host UNWTO-CAF conference, which is the gathering of all African Ministers of Tourism, principal executives of the global tourism body and other stakeholders in the tourism sector.

“We are all set to host the best UNWTO-CAF Meeting ever! All the necessary preparations have been made to ensure this.

“The main committee, as well as the many sub-committees, have worked tirelessly to make this event a huge success.

“We also expect an impressive attendance. As at today, we have confirmation from 166 foreign delegates, 26 Ministers and 332 Nigerian delegates, excluding the gentlemen of the press.

“Several delegates have arrived and many more are expected in today,” he said.

The minister who welcomed Pololikashvili and his team to Nigeria said the theme of the conference “Tourism Statistics: A Catalyst for Development”, fitted well into the natiơn’s quest to improve on its tourism statistics for planning and development of the sector.

Speaking on lined-up events for the conference, Mohammed said the participants will be hosted to a welcome cocktail Sunday evening while on Monday morning, there we will be a grand opening ceremony, to be performed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“After the opening, we will have the Ministers’ meeting. Tuesday will feature the Technical Seminar and the meeting will be wrapped up on Wednesday by the Technical Visit, which will take the delegates to the breathtaking Eko Atlantic City in Lagos.

“We decided to save the best for last,” he said

The minister reiterated that the hosting of the global event was a clear indication that Nigeria is peaceful and safe for foreign investors in tourism and other sectors.

On his part, Pololikashvili said Nigeria has lots of tourism potential to show to the world and the meeting would serve as a platform to showcase the country as continental tourism hub.

He commended the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration for identifying tourism as one of the sectors for economic diversification. (NAN)

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