TOURISM GOVERNANCE, PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: INTERROGATING NIGERIA’S 2022 NIHOTOUR AC
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Date
0010-10-25
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
akungba journal
Abstract
Abstract
This study critically examines the implications of Nigeria’s National Institute for Hospitality and
Tourism (Establishment) Act, 2022 (NIHOTOUR Act), in the context of tourism governance,
professional regulation, and sustainable development. While the Act aims to standardize training,
certification, and practice within the tourism and hospitality industry, it has generated significant
controversy among stakeholders due to its top-down enforcement strategy and limited stakeholder
engagement. Drawing on secondary data, the research analyzes the legal and institutional
framework of the Act, stakeholder responses, its alignment with global regulatory standards and
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 8 and 16, and identifies gaps in
governance and implementation. Findings reveal that although the Act aspires to professionalize
the industry, it suffers from rigid regulatory architecture, weak participatory governance, and
limited alignment with international sustainability benchmarks. The study concludes with policy
recommendations aimed at fostering inclusive, adaptive, and collaborative regulatory frameworks
to advance Nigeria’s tourism industry toward sustainable development.
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