How Do Hospitality and Tourism Students Choose a Career in Nigeria?

As a graduate of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the question of how to choose a career in this field in Nigeria is one that I often ask myself. The hospitality and tourism industry is full of endless potential and offers numerous career paths, from managing a 5-star hotel to becoming a tour planner and operator, to name a few. However, the reality is that Nigeria is a country whose main source of GDP is crude oil products, and the private sector's efforts are often neglected. Additionally, the industry's growth potential is yet to be fully realized in Nigeria.

In my senior year in University back in 2016, I believed it would be easy to break into the industry, and many of my colleagues shared the same sentiment. We thought that studying Hospitality and Tourism was enough to become industry leaders, but this has not been the case. In Nigeria, most of the career paths we want to choose are already occupied by individuals who have little or no knowledge of the industry and its competitive nature.

The hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria has a lot of untapped potential, and as Nigerians, we are missing out on its benefits. We need to focus on improving the industry and making it more palatable to our intended customers. Venezuela is an example of a country that was heavily dependent on its oil export and suffered economic challenges when the price of oil began to collapse. The growth of Venezuela is set to sink by 18% this year, according to the IMF. Therefore, we need to take action now to prevent similar challenges in the future.

I once heard a story from a colleague who, despite being a Hospitality and Tourism Graduate from a prestigious University, was told he was too qualified for a position he applied for in a hotel. The interviewers were not qualified to be in their positions and feared losing their jobs to a more competent individual. This experience highlights the challenges faced by Hospitality and Tourism professionals in Nigeria.

We need to address these issues now to prevent future challenges. We must stand together as a nation and strive to uphold what is right. It may seem like a small issue, but it is growing, and if we do not act soon, we may face what Venezuela is currently experiencing. Let us take action now to make a difference in the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria.

To address the challenges facing the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria, it is essential to first acknowledge the immense potential that lies within it. As the author mentioned, Nigeria is like a virgin waiting to be opened up, and the industry has so much untapped potential. This potential can only be harnessed if stakeholders within the industry work together to create an enabling environment that attracts investment and promotes growth.

One way to achieve this is by investing in training and development programs for hospitality and tourism professionals. This will help to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and equip professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen career paths. Additionally, the government can provide incentives such as tax breaks and subsidies to encourage private sector investment in the industry.

Another critical area that needs attention is infrastructure development. Nigeria needs to invest in building and maintaining world-class tourism infrastructure such as hotels, resorts, and theme parks to attract both domestic and international tourists. This will create job opportunities, boost local economies, and generate revenue for the government.

In conclusion, the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria has enormous potential, but it needs the right environment to thrive. Stakeholders within the industry must work together to address the challenges facing it, and create an enabling environment that promotes growth and attracts investment. If this is done, Nigeria can become a tourism powerhouse in Africa, and contribute significantly to the country's GDP.