- Safiu Kehinde
Former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, has revealed the potentials and positive impact of yuletide season, popularly dubbed Detty December, on tourism development in Nigeria.
Fashola made the disclosure in his address at an event in Lagos on Tuesday.
He noted the gradual popularity of Detty December and the attraction that Lagos has earned in the course of the event.
The former Minister of Works and Housing claimed that remittance from Diaspora during December alone is equivalent to four percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
“One of the the things that have come out in this last event of Detty December is that it has open a positive image for Nigeria. All of the young men and women who came here from other parts of the world are reliving their experiences with social media.
“If you use your Search Engine and enter Detty December, you will an entry by Wikipedia. They are already monitoring it. But it’s happening here in Nigeria.
“We found out that in December alone, remittances from Diaspora is already equivalent to four percent of Nigeria’s GDP.
“Is that a developmental opportunity? Who is curating it? Who is branding it? Who is mobilizing the manpower around it?” Fashola said.
He further explained the recent mode at which nations earn from tourism as he called for the extension of the annual festive event beyond Lagos.
“Nations live a subset of tourism that they call MICE. It is an acronym for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions.”
“So there is interest in the place called Lagos in Nigeria and we can expand it.
“It is for us to be deliberate; to be intentional, and have mandate for tourism.” Fashola said.
The ex-Lagos governor further charged residents of the state to grab the opportunity that Detty December offers in terms of transportation and accommodation of tourists.
“Detty December has opened the door. Are we ready to seize it? Why should Detty December end in Lagos? Why should it not spread? So are we preparing for the next one? Who are going to be the transporters? Who are going to provide accommodation?
“There was almost shortage of accommodation. So how many of us are ready to leave their homes? Furnish them and rent them out during the period? Because the demand will come and if we do not respond, it will go somewhere else.” He added.