Joining global tourism stakeholders in the celebration of the 2025 World Tourism Day (WTD), Ugwu Wilson Uche, vice president, South East, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), has declared that tourism is more than leisure.
“On the occasion of World Tourism Day 2025, celebrated under the global theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” I join the international tourism community in acknowledging tourism as more than leisure—it is a dynamic force for development, cultural preservation, and societal renewal,” the FTAN vice president, South East, said.
Speaking further, Ugwu noted that this year’s theme aligns perfectly with the Tourism Transformation Mandate launched by Aliyu Badaki, president of FTAN, which calls for a new era of inclusiveness, innovation, and sustainability across Nigeria’s tourism landscape.
“It reminds us that tourism must be harnessed as a tool for economic empowerment, environmental stewardship, and social progress.
“For us in Nigeria, and particularly in the South East, the call to sustainable transformation is both urgent and timely. Alaigbo is blessed with rich culture, diverse heritage, and natural endowments, but its greatest asset remains its resilient and hospitable people. Through sustainable tourism practices, we can unlock opportunities for job creation, youth empowerment, investment attraction, and regional branding while preserving our cultural values and protecting our environment,” he noted further.
As vice president, South East FTAN, Ugwu explained that his vision is to lead in repositioning tourism across the states of the South East to meet global standards and compete favorably with other regions. “Through creativity, innovation, and excellence, we aim to rebrand Alaigbo into a thriving tourism hub—one that tells our story, drives inclusive growth, and projects our region as a model of transformation,” he said.
To achieve the above, he insisted that the government, private sector players, and host communities must act in synergy: developing infrastructure, implementing forward-looking policies, and ensuring that the benefits of tourism flow equitably to local people.
Sustainable transformation, according to him, requires deliberate partnerships and a collective commitment to long-term impact.
“As the world reflects on this year’s theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” let us embrace the mandate to transform tourism into a pathway of prosperity, sustainability, and resilience—for Alaigbo, for Nigeria, and for Africa,” the FTAN vice president South East, concluded.
