By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa has emphasised the importance of incorporating tourism, creative and cultural industries into the education curriculum.
The minister stated this at a conference on boosting social impact and education in tourism through innovation, AI and creative industries in Africa, with the aim of unlocking the potential of these sectors and drive economic growth.
“One crucial aspect that bears mentioning is education. Incorporating tourism and the importance of creative and cultural industries into the curriculum, particularly within the Justice School, could be beneficial.
“This is because culture plays a significant role in promoting tourism, and tourism, in turn, can drive economic growth. By educating young people about the value of their cultural heritage and traditions, we can empower them to appreciate and preserve their roots,” she said.
According to her, this education can also encourage young people to explore opportunities in the creative and cultural sectors, thereby contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s tourism industry.
Speaking on innovation, she said Artificial Intelligence could significantly impact the nation’s tourism industry, but with regulations to ensure that it benefits the citizens positively.
Also speaking, the United Nations Tourism secretary, Zurab Pololikashvili said the world has a limited understanding of Africa, being the reason it is leveraging tourism for security, culture and peace.
He said despite 58 ongoing conflicts worldwide, tourism plays a vital role in promoting peace and understanding and today, we are combining education, innovation and creative industries to drive growth.
