TOURISM: Ambassador of Mali Receives The Chairman, National Conference for Domestic and Eco Tourism
Maryam Aminu
Nigeria, with its diverse cultures and rich natural resources, has great potential for ecotourism development.
The Chairman, National Conference for Domestic and Eco Tourism,
Dr. Obinna Ugochukwu Alexander Onyeocha, made this known when he paid a familiarisation visit to the Embassy of Mali on Thursday 9th November, 2023 in Abuja.
The familiarisation visit discusses how ecotourism can help preserve Nigeria – Mali’s cultural heritage while promoting sustainable development and improving their economic and social benefits
Recognizing that a collaborative effort and committed partnership between the public and private sectors will be needed to achieve set targets,he urged the Ambassador to push and partner private sector to make tourism strieve in West Africa
He said with the initiation of virtual tourism, the tourist attraction of Mali will be enjoyed virtually to save the cost and difficulty of transporting tourist items of Mali from Mali to Nigeria.
“When viewers come to your exhibition booth in the conference, they can see and experience Mali tourist attraction without having to carry the arts and artefacts from Mali to Nigeria.This initiative means people aren’t limited by available flights, travel logistics, safety concerns, and whether destinations are open.
In this conference, people will have a glimpse of what West Africans tourist attraction has to offer; it can also be used to plan a future in-person trip.
Alexander reiterated that he is on a mission to enhance and transform West African’s tourism products, while ensuring that the benefits which flow from the tourism sector are increased for all the countries in West Africa.
He added that the aim of the conference is thriving tourist destination that attracts the right investment and market
He stated that Nigeria has experienced the first and second National conference and the third will come up in second week of November 2024, urging Mali to ensure it’s participation at the conference.
“Subsequently, the conference will begin to hold in different parts of West Africa”
Dr. Alexander expressed that there is need to have an institution where students can study tourism in West African countries
Responding, the (Second Counselor)Mr. Mahamane Qusmane representing the Ambassador of the Republic of Mali, His Excellency, Mustapha Traore extended his appreciation to the team for the productive meeting to consider important issues of partnership between Mali and Nigeria.
Qusmane noted that Mali is a tourism and crafts-oriented country, it has fascinating places.
“Mali has a rich cultural background and the country celebrates various Festivals throughout the year in different regions” he added
He expressed interest in the partnership and pledged to reach out to Tourist sector in Mali to brief and encourage them about the national conference that will come up in November 2024
