Former President of Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) Alabo Mike Amachree has reiterated the need for the federal and state governments to see tourism as alternative that will help stabilize the nation in the face of dwindling economy.

Alabo Amachree, who many refer to as Nigeria’s Father of Tourism, made this known while taking journalists, tourism practitioners and stakeholders on a tour of his newly built Brooklyn Tourist Centre, along East-West Road, Port Harcourt.
Amachree complained that the country is facing serious economic challenges and advised the federal and state governments to invest in the tourism sector saying the sector has the potentials, if well harness , to create jobs and also earn foreign exchange for Nigeria.
He emphasized that tourism is the highest employer of labour and second highest foreign exchange earner in Nigeria after oil.
“Nigeria is a blessed country with arrays of world class tourism sites. However, we are not giving these sites the desired attention. They required greater attention and desired attention for them to attract tourists. I feel bad that with all these sites that God has blessed this country with, we are allowing them to waste while other countries are making money this same natural gift. The government must take tourism very seriously. That is what most countries that understand what the industry can offer do.”
Amachree insisted that the era of total dependence on oil revenue to run the country was gone and that there was need for Nigeria as a country to invest more in an industry like tourism which has over the years proved resilient in the face of global turmoil.
Amachree suggested various ways tourism can help revamp the Nigerian economy.  He advised the government, among others, to hold meetings with core tourism practitioners in the country to identify and keep record of all tourist sites in the states with the view to assist in their development; provide adequate security in tourist centres. Amachree also called on the Federal Government to instruct embassies abroad to relax entry permits into Nigeria to enable tourists and visitors come into the country to boost our foreign exchange earnings.
He also called on the state government to launch development funds that the proceeds can be used for developing tourism infrastructures and assistance for tour operators who source for international tourists.
promote the industry like the one between the Plateau State government and the ATPN to launch the Plateau State tourism development fund. He said the highly successful event was chaired by the former president, General Yakubu Gowon and with the then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida as the special guest of honour.