Six Nigerian Ministers have showed commitment to grace the 7th edition of the National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo holding in Abuja from 3rd to 4th December, 2024, with the theme: “Tourism Transportation Connectivity: Accelerating The Synergy for National Economic Development”.
Among these Ministers is the Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo and his counterpart in Ministry of Culture, Arts, Tourism and Creative Economy, Dr. Hannatu Musa Musawa as revealed by the organized the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN).
The National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Organizing Committee of the Summit, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, while speaking to Press in Abuja said, the Summit is a flagship programme of the Institute. 
Which he added that the summit serves as a stop gap mechanism approved by the 15th National Council on Transportation making it an annual tourism and transportation summit and expo be held in view of interconnectivity that exists between transportation and tourism.
Odunsanwo noted that the singular act underscores the connectivity brought by transportation, which is at the heart of the tourism-transport value chain.
The Summit therefore, seeks to explore and further strengthen the links between both sectors and maximize their impacts on employment, inclusive growth, sustainable development of the economy.In hosting the 7th edition of the Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo this year, organizers took cognizance of the vital documents that the past six editions have produced in the form of Communiques and seeks to bring into effect their implementation.
As roadmaps to give the industry players the leeway to play their respective roles in the most appropriate ways that guarantee the best economic benefits. Hence with theme: Tourism Transportation Connectivity: Accelerating The Synergy for National Economic Development.
Organizers are of the view that the awareness must be created of the relevance and importance of Communiques of the past Summits so as to accomplish the purpose for which the Summit and Expo was approved and being hosted.
Chief Abiodun Odusanwo said that this year’s Summit is to reaffirm the need for synergy and collaboration in areas of operations of the tourism transportation sector for national economic growth and development. He then went on to reel out some of the presentations expected as sub-themes of the Summit during plenary sessions, noting that speakers for this year’s Summit are drawn from key players of the Public Sector, represented by Ministries, Departments and Agencies and the Organized Private Sector, who are drivers of the industry.
“They include: The Nigerian Shippers Council–NSC leading discussions on Encourage Massive Investment in Water Front Properties, Resource and Etiquette Training; Nigeria Tourism Development Authority—NTDA, to head discussions on: ‘Connect and Explore: Trusted Travel Hub for Seamless Journeys.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps– FRSC will lead presentations on ‘The Relevance of Directional Signs in Tourism Transportation’ ; and the National Council for Arts and Culture—NCAC will lead presentations on ‘Artistic Collaboration and Partnership in Tourism Transportation’
“Others are the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism–NIHOTOUR to lead the panel of discussants on ‘Personnel Training for Enhanced Performance and Service delivery in Tourism, Transportation, and Allied Industries.“While the Nigeria Meteorological Agency—NiMet is leading discussions on Impact of Climate/Weather Forecasting on Tourism in the Sectoral Planning of Nigeria.
“And the Nigerian Export Promotion Council—NEPC is chairing discussions on ‘Nigeria’s Non-Oil Export Procedures: Sharing Expertise on Export Documentation, Logistics, Freight Management in Tourism and Transportation Sector”, Odunsanwo reeled out.
The National Tourism Summit and Expo has since inception in 2018, offered the platform for public and private sector stakeholders, producers and consumers in Nigeria and the African Continent to come together.
And share ideas, experiences, exchange knowledge and showcase their skills in the growth, development and promotion of the nation’s economic endowments, this time, by promoting ideals of the value chain inherent in the tourism transportation sector.Participants at the two-day event will be drawn from major key players and stakeholders in the transportation and tourism sectors such as the air transportation.
That is airlines, tour and travel operators, administrators of the aviation industry; the maritime industry which includes sea transport, boats and sea cruising operators; Road Transportation including transport owners, car hire services, Uber, Road Traffic and Safety Agencies including the FRSC, Motor Insurance Companies; State Transport Ministries and Agencies; Rail Transport Services.
Others are operators of the Tourism and Hospitality industry including tourism resort operators, National Parks Services; museums and monuments, State Tourism Ministries and Boards, Festivals and tourism events managers; Hoteliers, Restaurants and fast food operators; conferences and events managers; as well as service providers in the banking, oil and gas industries.
The Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo programme will feature Host City Walk, Tourism Transport Summit, Exhibition, B2B and G2B sessions, Tourism Transport Membership and Fellowship inductions, and the Gala Night which will also feature Awards to deserving stakeholders in the industry.
