The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, has called for? sustainable energy to boost tourism sector.
He told newsmen in Abuja that the call became necessary if social, cultural, political and economic values of tourism must be harnessed to guarantee a sustainable environment.
Duke spoke ahead of the 35th edition of the World Tourism Day slated for Sept. 27 and described the theme of this year's event entitled “Tourism and Sustainable Energy; Powering Sustainable Development'', as apt.
The Minister said the choice of the theme was in recognition that tourism remained one of the world's largest economic sectors.
He stressed the need for the tourism industry to adapt to climate change by reducing its emissions of hothouse gas which, he observed, stood at five percent of the total emission.
Duke said that though tourism was leading the way in some of the world's most innovative sustainable energy initiatives, “there is still much work to be done''.
“Renewable energy technology is creating jobs, lifting people out of poverty and helping to protect the planet.''
He said the 2012 event sought to address global challenges outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (Goal 7) and to highlight the contribution of tourism sector to realise the goals.
Duke announced that Nigeria would celebrate the Day in Markurdi, Benue.
“The event will ex-ray the relationship between tourism and energy,'' the minister said.
The World Tourism Day is set aside by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to create awareness on the significance of tourism to economic development, promotion of international understanding and world peace.
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