Google, NTDC partner to support tourism industry

Google and the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) have announced partnership to facilitate growth in the country’s tourism sector in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The partnership is aimed at providing training for small businesses, digital skills initiatives for individuals and the launch of a new Google arts & culture collection called ‘Tour Nigeria’.

Amit Sood, director, Google arts & culture, expressed hope that the partnership will further help market Nigeria’s rich tourism landscape to the international community.

“Rich heritage, natural beauty and vibrant cities, Nigeria is a destination we all need on our travel shortlist soon. Even though 2020 continues to be a challenging year for Nigerians and travelers from around the world, I hope that this unique online experience – created in collaboration with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation – can contribute to further promote Nigeria’s iconic sites and capture its stories,” Sood said.

“And even though I can’t travel, the project inspired me to start that journey by exploring the country through the works of Africa’s first literary Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka.”

Also speaking, Folorunsho Coker, NTDC’s director-general, said tourism remains an integral sector that can help Nigeria’s economic recovery plan after the devastating impact of the pandemic.

“The tourism sector is a key pillar of Nigeria’s economy. Initiatives that support and promote domestic tourism are critical, not only for the sector, but also because a stronger tourism sector will help Nigeria’s economy recover in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Coker said.

The NTDC DG said such partnership with Google will help the corporation to achieve its core aim of promoting domestic tourism in Nigeria.

“An expanded tourism sector will be able to drive employment and stimulate economic growth. Initiatives like Google’s – that are grounded in data-driven insights into how the sector can be supported and grown – strengthens NTDC’s ‘Tour Nigeria’ strategy, which seeks to promote domestic tourism in Nigeria,” Coker added.

Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, Google Nigeria director, also commended the initiative, while reiterating the company’s commitment to ensuring its success.

“We’re always looking for new and creative ways in which technology can foster connections between people and the arts,” said Ehimuan-Chiazor.

“‘Explore Nigeria’ is an expression of that desire and a tangible program that demonstrates our economic support of and commitment to Nigeria.”