The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), has pledged to support Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, the newly appointed Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR)in actualising his vision to reposition of the institute.
FTAN is the umbrella body of all tourism associations in Nigeria with a membership of 23 associations and unions operating in the Organised Private Sector of the Nigerian Tourism and Hospitality industry.
The President of the association, Alhaji Rabo Saleh, made the pledge when he led other members of the association on a courtesy visit.
“As a key player in the nation’s tourism industry at various times and levels both in the past and present, Kangiwa was most deserving of the appointment.
“I haveb no doubt in his ability to deliver on the core mandate of NIHOTOUR,” he said.
Also speaking, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, National President of the Institute of Tourism Professionals of Nigerian (ITPN), reiterated the importance of training and retraining in moving the Nigeria tourism industry to greater heights.
According to him, the responsibility lies solely on NIHOTOUR, as the nation’s apex tourism and hospitality industry.
He urged the new NIHOTOUR boss to ensure high quality training of personnel that conforms with international standards, in order to achieve better service delivery in the industry in line with global best practice.
Similarly, Chief Chike Ezeudeh, President of the Hotel Owners Forum of Abuja (HOFA), has promised to mobilise members of his forum to imbibe the culture of training of personnel in the Abuja hotel industry.
According to him, such would help to improve and better service delivery of the hospitality sector.
Responding, Kangiwa said, training and professional enhancement and competence were key to the success of a vibrant tourism industry.
He added that NIHOTOUR under his watch was poised to ensure quality training for all cadres of professionals in the hospitality and travel-tourism industry.
NIHOTOUR boss urged stakeholders particularly in the organised private sector to patronise courses and programs, offered by the Institute for training and upgrade of professional practice and competence of their staff.(NAN)