An aviation stakeholder, Mr Ayodeji Gbeleyi, has urged cheaper air fares and safer roads to boost domestic tourism and encourage more Nigerians to vacation locally.
Gbeleyi, Group Director of Agil Group, made the call on Saturday in Lagos, marking World Tourism Day 2025.
He explained that affordable flights, safer highways and an efficient railway system would improve domestic travel across destinations, giving tourism greater opportunities to grow and thrive nationwide.
According to him, tourism plays a crucial role globally, serving as a valuable product that showcases culture, cuisine, heritage and people to the rest of the world.
Gbeleyi urged the government to prioritise infrastructure, security, and consistent promotion of tourist sites, while also considering privatisation of some sites to enhance quality and attract stronger investments.
“High air fares and unsafe roads discourage local vacationing. With cheaper flights and safer highways, tourism will have a better chance to flourish.
“Railways must also be safe to encourage domestic movement. Tourism is more than travel; it is culture, education, business, exposure, and pride in national identity,” Gbeleyi said.
He noted that tourism reflects nature, which ultimately connects to God, saying the creation itself is rooted in tourism and humanity’s appreciation of the environment.
Gbeleyi observed that social media now showcases Nigerian culture, beaches, festivals and heritage, sparking curiosity among citizens eager to explore attractions they had only seen online.
He cited improved travel packages and better accessibility as signs of growth, recalling the Oju de Oba festival, which recently drew international visitors to Nigeria.
Referencing Hilda Baci’s Guinness World Record jollof rice cook-a-thon, Gbeleyi stressed that Nigerian tourism could thrive further if stories and culture were better projected on global platforms.