Tourism Journalism Now A Critical Trade For Certification – NIHOTOUR Declares War On Quackery

By Stella Okocha 

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR, has declared tourism journalism as one of the critical trades in Nigeria’s tourism value chain, saying it must be professionalized, certified, registered and protected from quackery.

The Director-General/CEO of NIHOTOUR, Aare Dr. Abisoye Fagade, FNHT, made the declaration in a goodwill message delivered at the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism, ANJET, Conference and Awards 2026 held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday.

Fagade, who was represented by a senior management official, Dr. Abba Shehu, commended ANJET for sustaining the platform that recognizes excellence and advances tourism journalism.

He said the relationship between NIHOTOUR and ANJET reflects shared commitment to developing tourism through professionalism, capacity building and promotion of Nigeria’s rich tourism potential.

According to him, NIHOTOUR has offered series of training programmes to ANJET members because tourism journalists are critical partners in national tourism development.

“We believe that tourism journalism goes beyond reporting events and activities. It involves telling Nigeria’s tourism story to the world, promoting our cultural heritage, showcasing our natural attractions, encouraging domestic tourism, attracting investment, and creating public awareness about the economic and social benefits of tourism,” he said.

In a major policy pronouncement, the DG stated: “NIHOTOUR recognizes tourism journalism as one of the critical trades within the tourism value chain. The successful development of tourism depends not only on hotels, travel agencies, tour operators and tour guides, but also on professionals who communicate tourism experiences, interpret destinations and shape public understanding of tourism.”

He said tourism journalists influence destination image, promote cultural understanding, inform travellers, attract visitors and create awareness of investment opportunities.

Consequently, he said NIHOTOUR will treat tourism journalism as a key area for professional development, standardization, certification and registration within its mandate of developing Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism workforce.

“Our objective is to ensure practitioners possess appropriate knowledge, relevant skills, ethical orientation and professional competence. Professional registration and certification are not intended to create barriers for genuine practitioners, but to promote competence, recognize qualified professionals, establish standards and strengthen public confidence,” he explained.

Fagade stressed that the profession must be protected from quackery and unprofessional practices, but assured the process will be inclusive and recognize existing practitioners’ experience.

He said NIHOTOUR will work with ANJET to develop a practical framework for training, certification and registration through constructive engagement, stakeholder consultation and clear guidelines that give genuine practitioners opportunity to obtain professional recognition.

He urged ANJET members to uphold highest standards of accuracy, fairness, objectivity and ethical conduct, noting that tourism journalism has power to shape perceptions, influence decisions and attract investment.

“We are confident that a closer working relationship between NIHOTOUR and ANJET will produce lasting benefits for tourism practitioners, media professionals, industry operators, government institutions and the Nigerian public. Together, we can build an industry where competence is recognized and professionalism is rewarded,” he said.

The DG congratulated ANJET leadership and awardees, reaffirming NIHOTOUR’s commitment to a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship.

“Together, let us professionalize tourism journalism, promote credible tourism reporting, protect the profession from quackery and tell Nigeria’s tourism story with excellence, integrity and pride,” he added