The Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Datuk Lim Juay Jin, has expressed the readiness of his country to cooperate with Nigeria in the area of tourism.
The High Commissioner told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday that tourism was a “strong aspect” in Malaysia, as his country’s government was willing to share its experience and expertise with Nigeria.
The envoy also expressed optimism that Nigeria’s tourism sector would contribute to its economy in line with the Federal Government’s diversification agenda.
Juay said: “When we talk about economic potential, Nigeria is always in the forefront not only in West Africa, but even in the entire African continent.
“Nigeria has so much to offer; I believe tourism is also another strong area that Nigeria can actually capitalize on or explore to the country’s benefit and there are many opportunities for that.
“In my two-year stay in Nigeria, I have not received any formal request or actually been approached by the tourism authorities to talk about cooperation in this aspect.
“Malaysia is open to such partnerships; I believe Malaysia has a lot to share with Nigeria in terms of the best practices and experience in moving the tourism industry.”
Juay, however, explained that several factors needed to be taken into consideration to make the sector attractive to both local and foreign tourists.
He said: “Tourism comes with other side attractions like restaurants that serve local and continental cuisine, easily accessible and affordable accommodation for tourists, shopping areas, all these come hand in hand.
“The touristic and historical areas are there and those sites have to be maintained and preserved and that has to come with other aspects like infrastructure.
“It takes a lot and I think Nigeria can do much more in promoting tourism by putting it in an organised and systematic way and this would even encourage local tourism.”
According to him, about 10,000 Nigerians annually visited Malaysia for tourism.
NAN reports that the Malaysian Government had intensify efforts to increase tourism in Malaysia as part of measures to diversify the economy and make the country’s economy less dependent on exports.
This, he noted had resulted to tourism becoming Malaysia’s third largest source of foreign exchange income.
Statistics by the official site of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board indicated that there were 25.7 million tourists in 2015, with a turnover of 69.1 billion Malaysian Ringgit (16.98 billion dollars).
Malaysia also ranked the 11th tourist destination in the world and second in Southeast Asia.
