The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to reposition tourism as a major foreign exchange earner. Dr. Aliyu Hong, the minister of state for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, made the pledge on Friday at the National Joint Tourism Board meeting. According to him, UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) statistics shows that tourism industry accounts for about 35 per cent of the world export service.
"The industry contributes about N2 billion dollars daily to the world economy as international tourism receipt in 2006,'' he added.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Shehu Suleiman, represented the minister.
Hong said the forum was necessitated by the sector's commitment to create employment for youths, women and the less privileged. He said delegates at the meeting would deliberate on modalities for the implementation of the National Tourism Policy and the National Tourism Master Plan. It will also resolve the problem of rating in the hospitality industry.

"The meeting will also deliberate on National Registration, Classification and Grading of Hospitality as well as Tourism Enterprises and Tourism Satellite Account projects,'' he added.

Mr. Olusegun Runsewe, the director-general of the National Tourism Development Corporation, said the corporation was committed to job creation, to eradicate poverty. He said the meeting would chart a new course for better performance of tourism activities in the country.

The meeting was attended by 20 state tourism commissioners and stakeholders.