Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu, has assured investors in the tourism, arts and culture industry of harmonisation of taxes and more investment opportunities.
Bonu gave the assurance during the commemoration of the World Tourism Day held recently in Lagos, adding that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is currently working on how to streamline taxes payable by tourism investors as part of his efforts to make businesses thrive in Lagos.
He said: “We are aware that so many investors have been complaining about multiple taxation. The Governor is currently working on that to see how the taxes can be harmonised”.
“There is a lot of hope for investors and we are also doing this to encourage more investors to take the tourism industry to an enviable height. We are aware of the enormous benefits the State and residents can derive from the growth of tourism; it is an industry with inexhaustible opportunities”, the Special Adviser stated.
Urging Nigerians to critically evaluate this year’s theme of the World Tourism Day: “Tourism and Inclusive Growth”, and embrace the industry for wealth creation, Bonu advised individuals to be creative while exploring the different value chains in the industry to create employment opportunities, pointing out that Nigerian youths need not wait for the government at different levels to create jobs.
He said: “Lagos State has invested a lot in the growth of tourism to enable people latch onto the opportunities in the industry. Individuals can invest in the food aspect, hotel, culture, transportation and more; the opportunities are enormous and tourism is all about inclusiveness”.
“Government, whose responsibility is to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive, is doing a lot on that. Recently, the Lagos State tourism master plan was launched to guide those who want to embrace the industry and areas to invest in”, Bonu noted.
