Nigeria’s tourism industry is losing significant opportunities due to poor destination management, inadequate infrastructure, security concerns and the absence of reliable tourism statistics, according to Dewald Kruger, General Manager of The Envoy Hotel by Silk Road Hospitality, Abuja.
Speaking at the Naija7Wonders Zoom Conference on “Festivals & Tourism in Nigeria: A New Pathway,” Kruger said the country has world-class natural and cultural attractions but lacks the organisation and planning required to compete with leading tourism destinations across Africa.
He noted that although Abuja boasts attractions such as Aso Rock, Jabi Lake, Millennium Park and the National Children’s Park and Zoo, many of these facilities require better maintenance, landscaping, visitor management and supporting infrastructure. “The products are there, but they are not packaged well,” he said, adding that tourism destinations should have proper entrances, security, clean public conveniences, attractive landscaping and professional visitor services.
Kruger identified security as one of the biggest barriers to tourism growth, saying travel advisories issued by foreign governments often discourage visitors, affecting hotels, restaurants and other hospitality businesses. He revealed that Abuja’s hospitality sector experienced a slowdown during the festive season, with nightlife and restaurant patronage declining by about 30 percent amid economic pressures and reduced consumer spending.
Beyond security, he highlighted weak supply chains as another major challenge confronting hotels, explaining that poor transportation and post-harvest handling significantly reduce the quality and shelf life of agricultural produce supplied to hospitality businesses, increasing operating costs. He also expressed concern over Nigeria’s lack of comprehensive tourism statistics, describing visitor data as essential for planning, investment and destination marketing. “Statistics drive tourism planning. If you know how many people visit an attraction every month, you can forecast revenue, justify investment and improve facilities,” he said.
Kruger observed that countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa and Tanzania continue to outperform Nigeria in attracting international tourists because they have stronger destination branding, better tourism data and more structured tourism management systems. He also advocated the establishment of internationally accredited hospitality and tourism schools in Nigeria to address skills shortages and reduce dependence on foreign training institutions.
According to him, developing world-class hospitality education would not only improve service standards but also position Nigeria as a regional hub for tourism and hospitality training across West Africa. Kruger concluded by urging policymakers to adopt a more coordinated approach to tourism development, combining infrastructure investment, destination management, skills development and effective marketing to unlock the sector’s full economic potential.
