NCAC DG, Segun Runsewe, urges NANTA to brace up for Cultural Promotion

(By Udeme Clement):

The Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture ( NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has called on members of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies ( NANTA), to ensure the promotion and marketing of rich Nigerian culture.

He explained that Nigerian culture is one of the oldest in the world, and needs marketing communication initiatives that would unveil its iconic content and context to the world yet to experience the fullness of its diversity.

“Under our National Festival of Arts and Culture,( Nafest), we at NCAC have strategically unveiled the best of Nigerian festivals under one roof and we want NANTA, with its massive presence across the six geopolitical zones of the country, to partner with us and create another string of income for the members,” Runsewe who also doubles as President, Africa region of World Craft Council (WCC), stressed.

Speaking during the visit of NANTA executives led by the President, Mrs Susan Akporiaye to his Abuja office, Runsewe, said that NANTA members have no business bemoaning the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on global travel trade business, noting that there are greater opportunitlies in exploring the rich Cultural tourism resources of Nigeria, both for domestic and foreign engagements.

He requested the association to send its best team forward to be part of the planning committee for 2021 Nafest, to be held in Ekiti State in October, and further assured that NANTA Will be provided a marketing pavilion during the celebration of the iconic festival, to reach out to target audience.

Mrs Akporiaye, in her opening remarks, stated that NANTA has taken note of the open door policy of NCAC under the watch of Otunba Runsewe, towards engaging the private sector, particularly NANTA members, adding that the visit was desirable.

She explained that the association wears two strategic caps in Aviation sector and also in tourism, noting that its presence needs deeper understanding and interpretation.

” We are here to assure you that we can help advance a refreshing course for Cultural tourism promotion in uncommon way, with our focal engagement as travel trade operators, which has placed us in a unique position more than any other tourism trade group in Nigeria. We can definitely change the narratives of Nigerian Cultural tourism business”, She stated.

At the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), NANTA President and the entire EXco, met with captain Musa Nuhu, the Director General of the Aviation regulation agency, and called for more support for NANTA members.

She assured the NCAA boss that NANTA under her watch, will sustain collaboration with the agency but requests for more enabling environment to check illegal travel trade operators in the system.

Captain Nuhu, assured NANTA of robust relationship and partnership more than ever before.