China has shared its tourism development experience with Nigeria as both countries seek stronger cooperation in tourism, investment, skills development and people-to-people exchanges.
The discussion took place at a seminar on “China’s Tourism Development Experience” held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja and organised by the Chinese Embassy in collaboration with the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA).
Chinese Cultural Counsellor Yang Jianxing said China had gained extensive experience in tourism services, destination development, smart tourism, cultural integration, market promotion and talent development.
He said the seminar was aimed at promoting mutual learning, noting that both China and Nigeria possess rich cultural heritage and tourism resources.
Yang identified tourism education, hotel management, eco-tourism, cultural heritage preservation, digitalisation, destination marketing and business partnerships as key areas for deeper cooperation.
He said tourism could create jobs and promote economic growth while strengthening understanding and friendship between the peoples of both countries.
“Tourism not only creates jobs and fosters economic growth but also brings people from different countries closer together,” Yang said, stressing that tourism exchanges could further strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between China and Nigeria.
NIHOTOUR Director-General, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, said China’s experience demonstrates how tourism can drive economic development, cultural preservation, rural revitalisation and community prosperity.
Fagade, who recently participated in a tourism programme in Beijing, said Nigeria has significant tourism assets but needs stronger systems to convert them into sustainable economic value.
He called for deeper cooperation between NIHOTOUR and Chinese tourism institutions, particularly the China Tourism Academy, in training, research, digital transformation, destination management and knowledge exchange.
He stressed, however, that Nigeria should adapt China’s experience to its own realities rather than copy the Chinese model.
The NTDA Director-General, Dr. Olayiwola Nurudeen Awakan, represented by Oladipo Adekunle, also identified tourism investment, capacity building, destination development, research, innovation and increased tourist flows as areas for enhanced China-Nigeria cooperation.
In his keynote address, Dai Bin, President of the China Tourism Academy and Director of the Data Centre of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, highlighted the evolution of China’s tourism sector and encouraged Nigerians to visit China and experience its tourism destinations.
Participants said stronger tourism cooperation could promote investment, skills transfer and cultural exchange while helping Nigeria unlock the economic potential of its tourism sector.
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