NIGERIA RETHINKS TOURISM: National Conference Champions Sustainable, Homegrown Solutions
Everything Hospitality to spotlight Nigeria’s domestic and eco-tourism treasures, calling for digital exhibitions and community-led strategies- Dr Obinna
Maryam Aminu
In a bold move to reposition Nigeria’s tourism sector from the inside out, stakeholders are set to gather in Abuja for the National Conference for Domestic and Eco-Tourism, a landmark event designed to harness local tourism assets and promote sustainable practices that benefit communities directly.
The conference, scheduled for July 28–29, 2025 at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, is themed:
“Sustainable Tourism Practices: Challenges and Opportunities for Domestic and Eco-Tourism Development.”
Organized by Everything Hospitality and Tourism Services, and endorsed by the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, the conference aims to shift the focus of tourism conversations from external solutions to Nigeria’s vast, often-overlooked, internal treasures. “Tourism in Nigeria has long been neglected or seen through foreign lenses. This conference is about reawakening our collective consciousness to what we have our landscapes, our culture, our stories and building a sustainable tourism model from the ground up,” said Obinna Ugochukwu Alexander, Managing Consultant of Everything Hospitality and Tourism Services and Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee.
In a forward-thinking twist, this year’s conference will feature e-exhibitions, encouraging states, communities, private actors and foreign exhibitors to present their tourism offerings through curated video clips instead of physical displays. This format allows for greater participation and ease of access.
“Every state in Nigeria has something unique. And instead of our local and foreign exhibitors transporting artifacts or promotional materials, participants can showcase their offerings through digital storytelling bringing Nigeria’s and their Countries beauty to life on screen,” Alexander explained.
Beyond exhibitions, the conference seeks to ignite meaningful discourse around ownership and sustainability. Organizers argue that tourism should be community-driven and not simply managed by government entities seeking international funding.
“Our aim is not just to attract funds from UNESCO or the UN. We are focused on long-term sustainability building a tourism industry that remains vibrant, profitable, and locally empowered,” said Alexander. “Let the original owners and custodians of these tourism assets lead the way.”
Organizers are calling on state governments, tourism boards, private sector players, and local communities to prepare and submit digital showcases of their tourism potential be it festivals, natural sites, cultural heritage, crafts, or eco-resorts.
About the Conference
The National Conference for Domestic and Eco-Tourism is an annual convening that brings together tourism experts, government stakeholders, community leaders, and entrepreneurs to explore Nigeria’s indigenous tourism assets and chart a course for sustainable development. The 2025 edition which is the 4th in series marks a pivotal turn towards digital integration, grassroots empowerment, and long-term economic growth.
