The Lagos Blue Rail testing ride was an excellent experience and tourism professionals in Lagos state hope that the government will not recede in it's tourism master plan development and will continue to engage practitioners in it's activities. During the train ride, conversations ensued among participants as they appreciate the mega rail project and suggested that a permanent committee should be set up for the maintenance of the great landmark and hope that it will continue to engage and partner tourism professionals in it's tourism development projects. The experience shows that tourism potential in the state is unprecedented.
The train ride gave ideas of other elements that could be added to tour itineraries during a Lagos city tour package. The scenery around the site of the magnificent Blue Rail terminus would endear visitors, tourists and escursionists, both domestic and international to the appreciation of the environment and Lagos as a unique state in Nigeria. It is obvious that the new Lagos rail system will improve and forever change the view of the transport system in the state.
The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), represented by Mr Tunde Kolade (FTAN South West VP) was on ground to host all tourism associations. LAMATA officials also recieved participants and gave information on the different train projects as envisioned by Lagos State Government. An introduction was given by Engineer Olasunkanmi Okusaga, Director of Rail Services, LAMATA. It was an opportunity as members of Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) asks questions from Mr Kolawole Ojelabi, the Director of Corporate Communication, LAMATA, who acted the role of a tour guide on the Blue Rail testing ride from Marina to Mile 2.
It is important to acknowledge the honourable commissioner of Tourism, Art and Culture, Lagos State, Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile Yussuff, for her consistency, support for laudable tourism programs and determination to develop the industry. And ofcourse all of these wouldn't have been possible without the support of his excellency, the governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu. who has identified the importance of tourism and hospitality enterpreneurship in the economic development of the state.
The special invitation of tourism practitioners to experience the new Blue Rail testing ride before it's been opened to the general public have created ideas and further hope of development in the tourism sphere. It was also a great sight to see different Lagos schools and school children participate in the Blue Rail testing ride.
In an interview by Travelogue, Alhaji Gbenga Sunmonu, MD, Complete Hospitality Services Limited, (Former FTAN Lagos Coordinator), Said the Blue Rail testing ride was a one stop hub for tourism. He further stated that the event has confirmed to us that the tourism potentials in Lagos state is huge but it's only when we are able to catch up with it before we can start to benefit from the opportunities inherent in tourism. Ambassador Anago Osho, CEO of Anago James Akeem Osho Adventures and Global Anago Adventures Limited, encouraged the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture to continue to create further partnership, open door policy and opportunities for tourism practitioners to contribute their professional knowledge, skill and experience in the development of tourism in the state.
It was fun and exciting as different tourism associations graced the industry event.