Minister charges tourism stakeholders on energy

STAKEHOLDERS in the tourism industry have been urged to take interest in the sustainable use of the environment.

The call was made by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke, yesterday in Makurdi at a national event to mark this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD).

In his keynote address, which focused on the theme of the celebration “Tourism and Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development,’’ the minister said that given the importance of global warming and its effect on tourism, it had become imperative for the operators both at the government and public levels to be acquainted with the matter.

Therefore, he asked them to learn more about the prevailing sustainable energy initiatives in tourism.   “I wish to invite stakeholders in the tourism sector from governments to businesses and tourists themselves to learn more about the sustainable energy initiatives that have been put in place in the tourism sector, debate on what should be done and advance the use of sustainable energy in tourism,’’ Duke said.  According to the minister, the theme of the celebration was a recognition of the steps taken by tourism stakeholders in the pursuit of a “green future.”

“Tourism is one of the world’s largest economic sectors which have taken important steps towards the future by improving energy efficiency and increasingly using renewable energy technologies in its operations,’’ he stated, adding that “these steps are creating jobs, lifting people out of poverty and helping to protect the planet.’’

Tourism, according to him, has succeeded in reducing its emissions of hothouse gas, which represents five percent of the total emission and has contributed to global warming.

Despite these successes, the minister said there was much to be done, urging the stakeholders to gear up for more work.

“We are also convinced that there is still much work to be done because energy efficiency has the least environmental impact possible and leads to using renewable energies. This needs to be promoted and supported thereby promoting the saving of resources and avoiding contamination,’’ the minister said.

Duke also used the occasion to highlight some of the notable milestones of his ministry in the pursuit of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. They include the presidential approval granted for the establishment of the Tourism Development Fund; introduction of a new visa regime; the benefit of tourism from the SURE-P Programme; and the Tourism Development Master Plan implementation. 

The World Tourism Day (WTD) is celebrated yearly on September 27 by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to create awareness on the significance of tourism to socio-cultural and economic development and the promotion of international understanding and world peace. The day also seeks to address global challenges outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (Goal 7) “ensuring environmental sustainability”, and to highlight the contribution of the tourism sector in order to reach these goals. The global event was held in Maspalomas, Spain.