Hi was wandering what tourism is like in Nigeria and was wandering how big the tourist industry is there. Also is there anything worth while seeing in Nigeria if so what are they.

From the information i have gotten Nigeria is not a popular tourist destination due to the high levels of crime terrorism instability and civil unrest but every country even the most dangerous and unstable have something that attracts tourists.

So anyways what would you say that Nigeria has to offer tourists.

Nigeria offers all of the following:

1- Incredible, picturesque natural beauties especially around South-Eastern and central Nigeria. The landscapes includes rain forest, savanahs, plateaus, and the Saharah desert.
2- 250 distinct ethnic groups and a treasure of cultural activities (including festivals, carnivals(Abuja Carnival), and other ritual sport events such as Argungu Fishing Festival, etc.).
3- A substantial amount of unspoilt beach fronts especially East of Lagos and around Cross River and Akwa Ibom areas.
4- Indigenous architecture as exemplified by the Nigerian Museum of Traditional Architecture in Jos.

Nigeria has countless tourism potentials however there is a lack (today) of standard low/medium budget hotels and reliable tour operators.

This is bound to change as more hotels enter the market and as certain states kick-start their tourism industires. In Cross River the Tinapa Resort will come online next year. Another resort is planned for Fun Ruwa near Abuja, among others,

I would say the biggest obstacle to tourism as a revenue-generator and poverty reducer is Nigerians themselves. Their current cynical and skeptical attitude is a problem. The government is aiming to promote awareness through formal national programs (the inffective NTDC) but i think it will be best to empower grass-roots groups: Creaton of arts and crafts schools, theaters schools, and training training and more training for the future tour guides.

With visionary leaders like Governor Donald Duke in power come 2007, we can expect a tourism renaissance in Nigeria, and in the process, far less poverty.