The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria has demanded N 150bn palliatives from the government to help sustain the businesses of its members.
The President of FTAN, Alhaji Saleh Rabo , said if the Federal Government failed to intervene and save the tourism and hospitality industry from the effects of coronavirus, about 50 per cent of the over 2. 5 million workers in the sector would lose their jobs.
He raised the concerns in Abuja during a press conference on The impact of COVID – 19 on Nigeria’s travels, hospitality and tourism industry and the need for government intervention. ”
He also expressed fears that the 40 per cent of annual purchased agro-allied produce by hospital operators in Nigeria would be reduced to less than 10 per cent.
Rabo said , “ Since the outbreak of COVID- 19 pandemic , hotels and sundry tourism businesses in Nigeria have lost hundreds of millions of naira from services cancellations and disrupted sales including revenues from destination handlings , packaged tours, room bookings , event venues, food and beverage , rented space, entertainment and other ancillary hospitality services.
“ FTAN hereby appeals to the Federal Government of Nigeria to , as a matter of national emergency , to provide palliatives to our members’ businesses, and include the tourism and hospitality sector in the proposed post- COVID – 19 intervention funds .
“ Specifically , we call on the Federal Government, through the Economic Sustainability Committee and the Central Bank of Nigeria, to provide N 150bn intervention fund for FTAN members.”
The organisation also faulted the exclusion of its members from the 14-member committee set up by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed , and chaired by ace comedian , Alli Baba, to mitigate the effects of COVID -19 on the creative industry.

source: https://punchng.com/1-25-million-tourism-workers-may-lose-jobs-ftan/

Fed Gov. Say account don empty. No more cash again.