The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria, has said that the nation’s rapidly expanding Detty December tourism economy is coming under growing strain from rising operating costs, subpar service delivery, and poor coordination across the tourism value chain.

The President of ATPN,
Femi Fadina, cautioned that the annual December travel surge, largely fuelled by diaspora Nigerians and foreign visitors—may be difficult to sustain this year, even ahead of peak festivities.

This was disclosed In a statement issued in Lagos, by Fadina noting that the sector is increasingly marked by premium pricing paired with mediocre service quality, a disconnect that could drive visitors to rival destinations elsewhere in Africa.

“Detty December did not become a global phenomenon because Nigeria had a well-structured tourism framework,” Fadina said. “It grew despite the absence of one. Unfortunately, operators are now attempting to extract a year’s profit within a single month.”

According to him, hotels, short-let operators, airlines, transport providers, and event organisers have sharply increased festive-season prices without delivering commensurate improvements in customer experience.

He added that the situation is worsened by persistent problems such as poor customer service, unreliable transportation, traffic congestion, and inconsistent security arrangements, all of which undermine Nigeria’s competitiveness.

Fadina identified Ghana, South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin Republic as key beneficiaries of these shortcomings, noting that they offer better-coordinated tourism experiences, clearer pricing, and stronger public-private collaboration, making them increasingly attractive alternatives for December travel.

While Nigeria still holds a first-mover advantage in December tourism, Fadina warned that the country is fast losing its value edge. Without corrective action, he said, Nigeria risks pricing itself out of the very market it helped create.

A major concern flagged by the ATPN is the absence of a seasonal pricing policy, alongside limited incentives for operators that invest in safety, quality, and service excellence. Fadina also criticised the lack of a coordinated national events calendar and a clear tourism development blueprint that aligns transportation, security, hospitality, and entertainment planning.

From a policy standpoint, he urged stronger collaboration between government agencies and private sector stakeholders on pricing guidelines, minimum service standards, and integrated planning frameworks. He further called for incentives that prioritise long-term investment in infrastructure and customer experience over short-term profit maximisation.