By Peter Dansu The South West representative on the Board of Trustees of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Alhaji...
By Peter Dansu
The South West representative on the Board of Trustees of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Alhaji (Dr.) Balogun Sekoni Tarzan, alongside the National Vice President for the South West, Hon. Apata Samson Nunayon, has called on stakeholders across the region to embrace strategic collaboration as a key driver of sustainable tourism development and economic growth.
The call was made during the inaugural general physical meeting of the Ogun State Chapter of ATPN held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
Speaking at the gathering, Dr. Tarzan stressed the need for unity, partnership, and collective action among tourism practitioners, government agencies, private sector operators, and industry associations. He noted that the growth of the tourism sector depends largely on coordinated efforts that promote destination development, cultural preservation, investment attraction, and job creation.
He further emphasized that the South West region is richly endowed with tourism assets capable of transforming local economies and boosting Nigeria’s global tourism competitiveness if properly harnessed through collaboration and strategic partnerships.
Also speaking, Hon. Apata Samson Nunayon reaffirmed the commitment of the South West leadership of ATPN to strengthening institutional frameworks across the region through active membership engagement, capacity development, data driven planning, and strategic initiatives aimed at repositioning tourism as a major contributor to economic growth.
He commended the Ogun State Chapter for successfully hosting its inaugural general meeting, describing it as a major milestone in its journey towards building a stronger and more vibrant tourism community.
Hon. Apata also highlighted the ongoing regional membership registration and documentation exercise across the six South West states, describing it as a strategic step towards building a comprehensive database of tourism practitioners, strengthening professional identity, and improving coordination between the region and the national body.
The event also featured the official flag off of activities leading to the South West International Tourism Expo (SWITEX) 2026, a regional showcase expected to attract industry leaders, investors, policymakers, tourism operators, cultural groups, and development partners from within and outside Nigeria.
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed optimism that the renewed spirit of collaboration championed by the regional leadership would strengthen ATPN’s influence, enhance destination marketing, attract investment, and create more opportunities for tourism practitioners across the South West.
The event drew tourism professionals, government representatives, association leaders, and other stakeholders committed to advancing tourism and hospitality development in Ogun State and the wider South West region.
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