The Honorary Special Adviser to Governor Umo Eno on Culture and Tourism, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, has emphasized the need for a functional tourism sector in Nigeria to drive business, entertainment, and hospitality through technological innovations, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). Onung, who chairs the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN), made the call in his World Tourism Day 2026 message. He highlighted the growing influence of data, AI, and Generation Alpha (GA) in shaping the future of tourism.
Onung addressed a forum themed "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism," where he stressed that the tourism industry is undergoing significant transformation and stakeholders must adapt to remain relevant. He noted that data has become increasingly valuable as the industry enters a new era driven by technology and changing consumer behavior. According to Onung, "Tourism is changing, and we must change with it."
The governor's aide emphasized the importance of developing new skills to build a competitive and sustainable tourism industry. He said that the right skills would be critical to driving growth and urged stakeholders to reposition the sector to respond to emerging global trends. Onung coordinates the HTSSCN to drive professional training, human capital development, and national skill standards in the tourism sector.
Onung commended stakeholders across Nigeria, including hotels, hospitality businesses, travel agencies, tour operators, transport and logistics providers, tour guides, attractions, creatives, and other professionals for their contributions to the sector's growth. He also drew attention to Akwa Ibom State's tourism potential, saying the state's ARISE tourism agenda should focus on converting its rich cultural heritage, natural attractions, and hospitality assets into sustainable opportunities.
The HTSSCN chairman applauded Governor Umo Eno for his efforts in developing the state's tourism ecosystem, which could strengthen its position as a competitive destination for visitors and investors. Onung envisioned a future for tourism that is "smarter, more inclusive, and ready for what comes next." He called for collective efforts by government, industry practitioners, training institutions, and stakeholders to prepare the workforce for the changing demands of the industry.
Onung expressed gratitude to tourism and hospitality professionals and stakeholders on World Tourism Day 2026, urging them to reflect on the sector's future and the skills required to drive its next phase of growth. He emphasized that the future of tourism would require a sector that is adaptable, innovative, and responsive to emerging trends and technologies.
The special adviser concluded by reiterating the need for stakeholders to work together to drive growth and development in Nigeria's tourism sector. He encouraged industry professionals to see World Tourism Day as an opportunity to reflect on their roles in shaping the sector's future and to explore new ways to leverage AI innovations and other technologies to drive sustainable growth.
Key points
- - Adoption of AI innovations is crucial for Nigeria's tourism sector to drive growth and remain competitive. - Developing new skills and repositioning the sector are essential to respond to emerging global trends. - Collective efforts are needed to prepare the workforce for the changing demands of the industry.
