The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) said the production of a specialized map to help the country’s tourist navigation will be unveiled soon before the end of this year.
The company’s chief executive, Mr Folorunsho Coker, revealed this in an interview with the Nigeria News Agency (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Coker said Nigerians will soon get the new card at hotels, airports and other tourist spots.
He said the Company had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federation’s Surveyor General’s Office to develop the map to make it as accurate as possible.
“We have just signed an MoU with the office of the surveyor-general of the Federation to jointly develop a tourist map.
“They (Office of the Surveyor-General) have geographic information and we have data relating to tourist destinations.
“We put data together to make sure the map is correct.
“Physical copies will be placed in hotels, airports and other hospitality and tourism establishments,” Coker said.
According to him, the information is ready but the marriage of the information will take time, adding that the map would be ready before the end of the year.
He said the emergence of increased tourist activity across the country, especially in backpacking communities, required a specialized map.
“We all know the best card is the one with local content. No one knows my garden better than I do. I know where there are waterfalls, springs, unique rock formations, and the best places to have a picnic.
“In many countries with thriving tourism industry, you can tell your hotel concierge that you want to visit a particular restaurant.
“They pull out a little map and say you are here and this is where you are going,” he said.
According to him, there are several active backpacking communities in Nigeria and our environment is never static throughout the seasons.
“Information like this on a map is crucial for people who plan to hike a trail, go camping or explore the city.
“It is also crucial for people who are not in the digital world to keep abreast of events around them,” said the chief executive.
He said the map will promote COVID-19 compliant establishments, rules and regulations to help guide tourists’ decision-making process.
“For example, in Kano State, there are specific rules that are state-specific compared to Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt,” Coker said. (NAN
