The hospitality/tourism industry is the most adversely hit by the COVID-19 outbreak. Travel restrictions, social distancing, isolations, curfews and now, total lockdown in some states and the Federal Capital Territory, to contain the spread of the killer virus, have forced a total freeze on all hospitality and tourism-related activities.
Indeed, tourism is widely acknowledged as having the potential to significantly contribute to a nation’s GDP. The industry, according to experts, currently accounts for 10 per cent of global GDP and jobs. As if the figures are not depressing enough, the World Travel and Tourism Council also warned that the COVID-19 pandemic could cut 50 million jobs worldwide in the travel and tourism industry.
Although the economy managed to exit the recession in 2017, its full recovery has been rather slow. Virtually all the sectors were still struggling to bounce back before the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed its terror on the global economy, with Nigeria and her tourism sector badly hit. Although, the current dramatic dip in oil price is not entirely caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for Nigeria’s oil and gas has reduced significantly, meaning that a drastic reduction in the revenue of government has become inevitable in the near time. And this will, among others, constrain infrastructure financing.
Daily, various media platforms, including print, electronic and social media are awash with heart-wrenching stories of the deadly attacks by insurgents and the gruesome murder of innocent citizens by marauding headsmen. Many foreign countries are forced to issue travel advisories, warning their citizens of the dangers of visiting the country.
“We are all scared because of this COVID-19. A lot of our planned trips have been put on hold,” he said. Accordingly, Buhari, on Sunday, March 29, 2020, announced a total shutdown of Lagos and Ogun States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The lockdown, which was for an initial period of 14 days, took effect from 11:00 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2020.