The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has expanded its training programmes and started measures to register tourism and hospitality professionals as part of efforts to improve standards in the sector.
Abisoye Fagade, the director-general of NIHOTOUR, said the institute had established a national registration for tourism and hospitality professionals and introduced professional grades and honours for practitioners.
He said the number of people trained by NIHOTOUR annually had increased from about 1,000 to 3,000, while its training reach had expanded from about nine states to 30 states.
According to him, the institute is also working towards establishing a tourism academy to support training and professional development in the industry.
Fagade said NIHOTOUR would not establish government-owned training schools across the country but would instead accredit private institutions that meet the required standards.
He said this would allow the institute to expand training opportunities while maintaining standards across tourism and hospitality education. He also called for greater cooperation among stakeholders in the tourism industry, saying the development of the sector requires participation from government agencies, private operators and professional bodies.
The reforms are part of NIHOTOUR’s efforts to implement its mandate under the NIHOTOUR Act and improve professional standards in Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry.
