Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said that his administration has re-calibrated the thrust of tourism through the development of a Tourism Master Plan and Tourism Policy designed to make the sector not only as a huge revenue earner and a model for economic regeneration.
The governor said this in his keynote address delivered at the Africa Gaming expo held at Eko hotels, Victoria Island,Lagos.
He noted that as part of his commitment and renewed determination to leverage the potentialities of the gaming, entertainment and tourism sector, the state government has decided to tap the full potentials of tourism industry as it has been seen in cities such as Zanzibar, Johannesburg and Cape Town.
According to the governor; “These initiatives, aimed at increasing our share of the African gaming market to at least 30%, and solidify our status as a key player in this rapidly growing industry, are largely being propelled through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
“Today, Lagos State is one of the top ten (10) fastest growing cities in the World, ranks 6th in GDP in Africa and contributes over 25% of the GDP in Nigeria. However, Lagos State still needs more support in terms of investment in the Entertainment and Tourism sector.”He said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos State has one of the best protocols for ease of doing business, and the Expo would provide partners of the state insight into the investment opportunities waiting to be explored in Entertainment, Gaming and Tourism industry in the State.
“I am excited to learn that the various speakers and panelists at this conference are not only industry experts, leaders and operators, but they are drawn from all over the world, giving global insights and perspectives to the conversations that will take place at this conference.
“Lagos is indeed well-known for its commercial and political grandeur. It is regarded as the commercial and entertainment capital of Africa and has remained committed to the development of the nation’s tourism sector through entertainment and cultural export across various entities like movie, music, fashion and recently gaming, to mention but few.
“Distinguished partners and guests, no doubt, we are indeed in the right place. Convening the African Gaming Expo in Lagos could not have come at a better time as it portends to strategically reinforce the State Government’s Development Agenda as encapsulated in T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, specifically the sixth pillar – Entertainment and Tourism.”
