An aviation stakeholder, Mr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi, has warned that high air fares and unsafe road networks are major barriers to the growth of domestic tourism in Nigeria.
Gbeleyi, Group Director of Agil Group, made the call in Lagos on Saturday while speaking at the 2025 World Tourism Day celebration.
He noted that cheaper flights, safer highways, and an efficient railway system were critical to boosting local vacationing and expanding tourism opportunities nationwide.
“High air fares and unsafe roads discourage local vacationing. With cheaper flights and safer highways, tourism will have a better chance to flourish,” he said.
Gbeleyi stressed that tourism plays a vital role globally by showcasing culture, cuisine, heritage and people, and urged the government to prioritise infrastructure, security, and consistent promotion of tourist sites. He also suggested that privatisation of some destinations could improve quality and attract stronger investments.
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He added that beyond travel, tourism encompasses culture, education, business, exposure, and pride in national identity. “Tourism reflects nature, which ultimately connects to God. The creation itself is rooted in tourism and humanity’s appreciation of the environment,” he said.
Citing examples, Gbeleyi noted how social media now drives curiosity about Nigerian beaches, festivals and heritage, while recent events such as the Oju de Oba festival and Hilda Baci’s Guinness World Record jollof rice cook-a-thon have drawn both local and international attention to Nigeria’s tourism potential.
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