The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships and improving collaboration within the tourism, hospitality, entertainment, and creative industries as it works to position Lagos as a globally competitive destination.
Speaking at the Tourism, Hospitality and Creative Stakeholders’ Engagement Summit held on Thursday at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said the summit reflects the State Government’s resolve to build a vibrant, investment-friendly tourism ecosystem.
Addressing participants drawn from tourism management, hospitality, entertainment, culture, creative enterprises, and investment sectors, the Commissioner said Lagos remains a diverse cultural hub with immense potential to become Africa’s leading tourism destination.
She noted that the theme of the summit, “Unlocking the Potentials and Opportunities of Lagos Tourism: Collaboration and Partnership for a Greater Lagos,” speaks to the importance of shared responsibility, sustained engagement, and innovative strategies in driving the sector’s growth.
According to Benson-Awoyinka, the summit was convened to strengthen partnerships across the tourism value chain, enhance service delivery, boost destination competitiveness, explore sustainable tourism opportunities, and harness the creative sector’s capacity to drive economic development.
She emphasised that under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, the State Government is committed to supporting investments, improving infrastructure, strengthening regulations, and adopting global best practices to position Lagos as a top destination for leisure, business, and cultural experiences.
The Commissioner explained that discussions at the summit—including panel sessions and technical engagements—would offer practical solutions for improving safety, service standards, promotional strategies, and the overall visitor experience. She stressed the importance of building systems that are efficient, inclusive, and adaptable to global tourism trends.
Highlighting the cultural richness of Lagos, she described the state as a melting pot of diverse festivals, cuisine, arts, and entertainment that continue to attract both local and international visitors. She urged stakeholders to work together to unlock the cultural and creative treasures that define Lagos and strengthen its role as a tourism hub for Africa.
Benson-Awoyinka also noted that the summit holds particular significance as Lagos prepares for an expected surge in visitors during the festive season.
She encouraged participants to network, share insights, and deploy expertise that would influence long-term growth of the sector, adding that decisions made at the summit would shape the state’s readiness to welcome tourists in the months ahead.
The Commissioner thanked stakeholders for their contributions to the development of Lagos tourism and reaffirmed the Ministry’s slogan, “MTAC: Giving the Best of Lagos,” while aligning with the State Government’s agenda for A Greater Lagos Rising.
The event brought together industry experts, policymakers, creatives, investors, and tourism practitioners committed to driving innovation and strengthening the tourism landscape in Nigeria’s commercial capital.