Head of Department (HOD), Tourism in the Taraba State University, Jalingo, Dr. Esther Baba
By DOMINIC AKPENSUEN, Jalingo –
The Head of Department (HOD), Tourism in the Taraba State University, Jalingo, Dr. Esther Baba has urged the federal government to invest in tourism and hospitality industry to create employment for teeming youths.
Dr. Baba made the call on Thursday during an interview with NATIONAL ACCORD in Jalingo, the Taraba State’s capital.
“Tourism can create significant employment opportunities for youths. “There are several ways in which the tourism industry can generate jobs for young people.
“Tourism can provides opportunities for people to relax, learn, and create memorable experiences while supporting local economies and promoting cultural exchange”, she said.
She disclosed that tourism is the act of traveling for leisure, pleasure, or cultural exploration to different places within or outside the country. It also involves visiting attractions, experiencing new cultures, trying local foods, and engaging in various activities like sightseeing, hiking, or attending festivals.
Dr. Baba reiterated that tourism create direct employment and related businesses like hotels, restaurants, tour operators, travel agencies, and attractions.
The university don added that tourism requires a large workforce to cater for the needs of visitors.
She called on governments and private organizations to support youth-led initiatives startups and focus on sustainable tourism practices, eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and digital innovation in the tourism sector.
The HOD of Tourism, further, stressed that, government can encourage tourism in several ways by Investing in infrastructural development, maintaining roads, airports, public transportation, and tourist facilities to improve accessibility and visitor experience.
