33, 397 American tourists visit Nigeria in 2012- NTDC

The number of tourists increased compared to 2011.

The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), on Thursday said that a total of 33, 397 American tourists visited Nigeria in 2012.

In an NTDC publication made available in Lagos, the corporation said that the figure showed an increase of 8,274 over the 25,123 recorded in 2011.

A breakdown of the figure showed that male tourists were 20,274, female tourists 10,110, while children were 3,013.

The publication said that the tourists were residents, principal, dependent, visiting immigrants, including government officials and foreign diplomats.

It said that the increase was due to the achievement recorded through the United States road show, which the NTDC conducted.

Nasir Kaka, the South-West Zonal Coordinator of NTDC, attributed the increase to some Americans tracing their origin to Nigeria through DNA tests conducted in the U.S.

“The partnership between NTDC and the biggest U.S. tour operator– Mr Paul Cohen– to attract more American tourists to Nigeria through the road show was a huge success, “ he said.

Mr. Kaka said that with the partnership, Nigeria had been listed as one of the major preferred tourism destinations by American tourists.

(NAN)