The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria has demanded N150bn palliatives from the government to help sustain the businesses of its members, The PUNCH reports.

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 N150bn 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.