FG Advised To Ban Weddings And Conferences Held Outside Nigeria

I think there are better issues to focus on rather than deliberate on people's choice of where to hold their special moments or occasions...What do you guys think?. Mr Wale Odeyemi, a Senior Lecturer, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Lagos, has advocated for a ban on conferences, weddings and other social engagements outside the country.

Odeyemi made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos. He said that the new trend of holding such events outside the country was impacting negatively on the promotion of tourism.

 “Most individuals, advertising agencies and multinationals do more of outbound (events outside the country) promotion than inbound.
 “Most adverts on television, radio and newspapers are on the marketing of outbound products than the inbound. “Some Nigerians hold conferences, seminars, weddings and workshops outside the country. “These are not helping the growth of our economy. “The money, which is supposed to be spent in Nigeria, is being taken abroad to hold seminars and weddings. “The government should discourage this and encourage the use of the Nigerian market,’’ he said. 

 Odeyemi, therefore, advised practitioners and government agencies to promote and encourage the use of inbound tourism for economic growth. (NAN)