Mr Yomi Jones, the Managing Director of Six Continent Travels and Tours Ltd., on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to reduce the interest rate on loans to tourism agents and other entrepreneurs.
Jones told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the reduction would boost tourism in the country and also increase in-bound tourists to the country.
According to Jones, the promotion of most tourists’ sites over the years in the country was being hindered due to funding constraints.
He said a lot of people were willing to invest in tourism but noted that the available loans in the country were given out at exorbitant interest rates.
“Loans in foreign countries were given out with a three to two per cent or zero interest rates. This enables for a rapid growth in the business; but here in Nigeria, interest rates are from 26 per cent upwards.
“This development is absolutely unfair and it tends to affect the growth of businesses in the country.’’
Jones identified what he called the “inhumane’’ attitude of most law enforcement agencies at the country’s entry points, especially at the airports, as another factor affecting tourism growth in the country.
“We find most of our law enforcement agents engaging in various unwholesome acts at the various entry points and most especially at our airports.
“This act has registered a negative impression on foreigners who we work tirelessly upon to come into the country as tourists.
“Government needs to look into this urgently, so that a sector’s bad attitude will not be sabotaged by another,’’ Jones said.
The director said that with effectiveness in every sector of government, tourism could transform the nation into a tourist’s haven.
