The Honourable Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, welcomed the esteemed Spanish Ambassador, Juan Seil, to the Ministry’s headquarters for a pivotal discussion on bilateral tourism cooperation. The meeting, which took place in an atmosphere of mutual respect and collaboration, sought to explore avenues for leveraging Spain’s rich tourism expertise to bolster Nigeria’s tourism sector.
During the engaging dialogue, Ambassador Juan Seil expressed Spain’s deep-rooted commitment to fostering robust partnerships with Nigeria in various sectors, particularly tourism. Emphasizing the pivotal role of tourism in Spain’s economy, the Ambassador highlighted its substantial contribution, constituting over 11% of GDP and providing employment for 13% of the workforce.
In reciprocation, Honourable Minister Lola Ade-John commended Spain’s exemplary tourism model and underscored Nigeria’s eagerness to tap into Spain’s wealth of experience to enhance its own tourism landscape. The Minister reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to fostering a conducive environment for tourism investment and development.
The discussions centered on identifying strategic areas of collaboration, including knowledge exchange, capacity building, and joint marketing initiatives to promote tourism destinations in both countries. Ambassador Juan Seil extended an invitation for Nigerian officials to engage with counterparts at the World Tourism Organization headquarters in Madrid, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in advancing tourism agendas.
Furthermore, the Ambassador emphasized Spain’s readiness to support Nigeria’s tourism objectives through initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable tourism practices, cultural exchange programs, and infrastructure development.
The meeting concluded on a high note with both parties expressing optimism about the prospects of a fruitful partnership that harnesses the transformative power of tourism to drive socio-economic growth and promote cultural exchange between Nigeria and Spain.
Signed
Chindaya Ahmadu
Director Press
Fed. Min of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy/
Ministry of Tourism
