The Lagos State Government, over the weekend, joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 World Tourism Day (WTD) with a colourful celebration at Tarkwa Bay Island, where stakeholders emphasised the need for Nigerians to embrace local tourism before seeking international destinations.
This year’s event was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in partnership with the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP, South West Zone) and the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN, South West Zone).
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Miss Damilola Ayinde-Marshall, said the choice of Tarkwa Bay as the venue was deliberate.
According to her, the beach was selected to spotlight Lagos’ coastal and aquatic assets while drawing attention to the investment potential in water-based tourism.
She noted that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” reflects the State Government’s commitment to leveraging tourism for sustainable development, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.
In her goodwill message, NATOP President, Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha, highlighted Nigeria’s vast but underexplored tourism opportunities, stressing that prioritising domestic tourism would not only deepen cultural appreciation but also stimulate economic growth, job creation, and global visibility.
She added that empowering host communities remains the most effective way to position tourism as a driver of economic diversification. She urged Nigerians to discover the country’s hidden gems rather than focus exclusively on foreign destinations.
Also speaking, Vice President (South West) of FTAN, Mr. Gbenga Sumonu, who represented the National President, commended Lagos State and NATOP for their joint training programmes for Tarkwa Bay residents.
He explained that skills in fish grilling, seafood preservation, and heritage promotion would directly impact livelihoods while strengthening the broader tourism ecosystem.
Ambassador Ikechi Uko, a NATOP Board of Trustees member, described the event as historic, applauding Lagos for taking tourism “beyond offices and conferences into real communities.”
He emphasised that Lagos’ waterways and beaches remain its strongest assets and called for sustained investment in coastal communities.
The celebration attracted a wide audience of stakeholders, cultural enthusiasts, and international visitors, who enjoyed vibrant cultural dances by the Tarkwa Bay Cultural Troupe, live music, exhibitions, and networking opportunities showcasing the island’s creativity and resilience.
World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27, raises global awareness of tourism’s role in cultural exchange, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. The 2025 Lagos edition at Tarkwa Bay underscored the State’s vision of making tourism a catalyst for community empowerment and long-term transformation.
