Dr Abigail Olagbaye declares bid for ATPN presidency, outlines transformational vision

Dr. Olagbaye announces her candidacy for ATPN President, aiming to transform Nigeria’s tourism and empower practitioners

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]r. Abigail Adesina Olagbaye, a renowned tourism practitioner with 23 years of experience, has officially declared her candidacy for the presidency of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN).

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As the CEO of Desigo Tourism Development and Facility Management Company Ltd and founder of the Sayari Dunia Sustainable Tourism Foundation, Dr Olagbaye brings a wealth of expertise and innovation to Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious tourism trade association.

Dr Olagbaye has pledged to reposition ATPN as the leading voice for tourism development in Nigeria. She emphasised her commitment to empowering association members by providing training, resources, and networking opportunities that elevate careers and industry standards.

Her vision is firmly rooted in driving innovation and sustainable growth to transform the nation’s tourism sector.

Her agenda focuses on enhancing industry partnerships, advocating for the interests of tourism practitioners, and showcasing Nigeria’s hidden gems both locally and globally.

She plans to prioritise capacity building to improve professionalism within the sector and aims to elevate the benefits and experiences offered to ATPN members.

In addition, Dr Olagbaye has outlined a range of initiatives to diversify and develop Nigeria’s tourism offerings. She seeks to leverage faith-based international conference tourism, medical tourism, and sports tourism to attract diverse audiences.

By enhancing language training and focusing on youth involvement, she aims to improve tourist experiences and foster the next generation of tourism professionals.

Agro-tourism is also a major part of her vision, with plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture, international organisations, and local communities to create sustainable and authentic rural tourism experiences.

Dr Olagbaye also plans to transform ATPN’s digital presence. She envisions robust social media platforms and internationally standard websites to make Nigerian tourism companies more accessible to global audiences. Recognising the critical role of digital tools, she is determined to use social media to promote the country’s tourism assets effectively.

A pioneer in sustainable tourism initiatives, Dr Olagbaye launched the Africa Tourism Climate Action Forum (ATCAF) and Africa Tourism Day in 2020 in collaboration with the African Tourism Board. These programmes, now in their fifth edition, highlight her dedication to fostering environmentally responsible tourism practices and her ability to implement groundbreaking ideas.

As she campaigns under the slogan “Transforming Tourism, Empowering Practitioners,” Dr Olagbaye has called on fellow tourism practitioners to join her in reshaping Nigeria’s tourism landscape. Her candidacy promises a new era of progress and innovation for ATPN and the broader tourism industry.

For more information, Dr Abigail Olagbaye can be contacted via email at abigailolagbaye@gmail.com or phone at +2349122525250.

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She is also active on social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, under @abbieolagbaye and @DrAbigailOlagbaye.