Stakeholders have reiterated the need for sustainable tourism practices to safeguard natural and cultural resources, bolster local economies, and improve visitor experiences while reducing environmental impact.
According to The PUNCH, this call was made during a press briefing held in Abuja on Saturday to mark World Tourism Day, following a clean-up initiative at Jabi Lake.
The event was organized by the Eco Club, in collaboration with the Jabi Boat Club, Jabi Mall, and Jabi Park.
World Tourism Day, celebrated annually on September 27, serves to raise awareness within the global community about the value of tourism across various sectors—social, cultural, political, and economic.
The 2024 edition of the day carries the theme, ‘Tourism and Peace’, underscoring the sector’s critical role in fostering international understanding, promoting cultural exchange, and supporting efforts toward reconciliation between nations.
At the press briefing, Aisha Yusuf, Creative Director of Hayche Network and Senior Special Adviser on Sustainable and Accessible Tourism to the Executive Director of the Tourism Volunteer Network, emphasized the urgent need for sustainable tourism solutions across Nigeria.
“We are here to create awareness about our environment, and sustainable solutions. Everybody wants things that are already clean and proper, but how do we keep them sustainable? We are urging the government and every individual to come on board. Everyone sitting at this table right now is a volunteer. We are part of the tourism volunteer network and we are here to show and do our part. With the little that we have. The little that we have is our time and our voice. And we are going to amplify it by talking about sustainable solutions,” Yusuf explained.
She highlighted the importance of maintaining Jabi Lake, a well-known resort in Abuja, as an example of a shared resource that demands collective responsibility.
“Jabi Lake is a known resort in Abuja. It is the go-to for everybody, and so many people benefit from this lake. We are urging every one of us as individuals that we should start with ourselves by cleaning our environment. The lake needs to be cleaned. But even apart from the intrusive plants and seaweed that take over the water body, we also have trash in the water. So that means that the trash didn’t just roll out from somebody’s house and roll down the road and find its way to the lake. Somebody brought it here and discarded it inappropriately. So we urge everyone to start by owning it first and discarding our waste properly,” she added.
Yusuf also noted that neglecting the cleanliness of such vital water bodies could have far-reaching consequences, stating, “Water is life and there’s no way we can survive as humans without water. Here at Jabi Lake, we are realising that it’s starting to come with foul smells and unpleasant sights. So, we are creating awareness now, and it will lead to advocacy visits.”
Echoing her sentiments, Omoefe Tawiyah, Managing Director of Platinum X Media and organiser of the “Abuja I Believe” initiative, emphasized the economic benefits of tourism, particularly for local communities. “Tourism is key for growth, wealth, and job creation. Jabi Lake is a very significant tourist destination in the Federal Capital Territory. As they say, cleanliness is next to godliness. If this is properly cleaned up, it will be one of the destinations for tour guides and tourists to visit.”
He further stressed that maintaining the lake’s cleanliness could lead to increased tourism investments in the area, stating, “So people will see and bring enormous tourism investments for the FCT. We know that a lot of people come here for picnics and relaxation, and couples come here to unwind, so there is a need for the clean-up.”
Tawiyah called on stakeholders to take responsibility, saying, “We are obliging partners, friends, well-wishers take it at heart and let’s collectively put every effort we can to make our society a great place.”
Executive Director of the Tourism Volunteers Network, Phil Roberts, shared his vision for turning Abuja into a prime tourist destination, recognizing the potential of Jabi Lake to be at the forefront of this transformation.
“Like I said before, I see three things here. I see ocean tourism, I see marine tourism and infrastructure tourism. Infrastructure tourism has to do with putting all these places together because you cannot do tourism without putting the infrastructures together,” he said.
Roberts commended the efforts of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his commitment to infrastructure development in Abuja, which he believes is a key pillar for promoting tourism in the region, noting, “The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, has been doing so well in infrastructure tourism, and everyone in the department is working towards supporting and promoting what he’s doing in infrastructure tourism.”
He also pointed out that while Abuja is home to numerous tourist sites, more work is needed to elevate these locations into fully developed tourist destinations. “Our advocacy now is to turn those tourist sites into tourism destinations. What makes your site a destination is when all the facets of tourism are seen in it. Jabi Lake has all the characteristics that make a tourism destination possible, and this can be a three or four-star tourism destination from the map and the policy document of the FCT Tourism Department.”
Roberts concluded by expressing optimism for future efforts, saying, “This is just one of our first points. I know that the Eco Club is also going to be looking at some other tourism destinations we have in Abuja.”
