NIHOTOUR Forms Committee to Resolve Tourism Regulatory Dispute

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has inaugurated a committee to address ongoing disputes concerning the recognition, regulation, and governance of professional bodies within Nigeria's hospitality, tourism, and travel sectors. The National Committee on Industry Professional Bodies Recognition and Governance (NCIPBRG), chaired by Professor Wasiu A. Babalola, was launched in Abuja by NIHOTOUR Director-General, Aare Abisoye Fagade.

This committee is tasked with submitting recommendations within three months, focusing on developing criteria for recognizing professional bodies, establishing governance and accountability standards, proposing ethical guidelines, and identifying overlaps among industry associations. Fagade stated that this initiative aims to provide clarity and structure to professional organizations in the sector, aligning with NIHOTOUR’s mandate under the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act, 2022.

However, this initiative occurs amid ongoing disagreements between NIHOTOUR and some private sector representatives regarding the institute's regulatory authority, particularly from the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), led by Dr Aliyu Ajayi Badaki.