The federal government has indicated its intention to set up a Tourism Development Fund to boost the nation’s growing tourism sector.

The disclosure was made by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Nkechi Ejele, after she briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the activities of the ministry under her leadership.

She told State House correspondents that the president indicated his willingness to assist the ministry reach its full potentials by making sure that the funds budgeted for its operations get to it.

“We discussed about funding problem and the President has now advised that we should establish Tourism Development Fund to help in the growth of the sector. All over the world, tourism is not funded by the government. It has become unfashionable for tourism to depend on government for its funding, hence the need to develop the development fund,” she said.

She expressed hopes that the sector would record tremendous growth in the future when it receives the necessary attention from the government and the private sector.