.Save the commemorative postal stamps that were unveiled by the Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) in collaboration with the Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST), the 30th anniversary of Africa’s biggest cultural fiesta went unsung. Perhaps, the declining fortunes of the national theatre and the uncertainty surrounding its current status were responsible for the low-key ceremony.

However, the reasons that caused the declining fortunes of the theatre ought to be fully appreciated in order to see how best this national patrimony could be salvaged. For more than 15 years, the theatre’s structure has been in decay due largely to official neglect and the failure to follow the recommendations of the Bulgarian designers regarding the cooling system, water supply and guarding against erosion within the expansive complex. Inadequacy of funds and official ineptitude prevented the theatre from being run as prescribed by its designers.

Consequently, the roof started leaking, the central cooling system broke down, a part of the basement started sinking, the bridge linking the Ijora highway caved in. Since 1992 after the disastrous screening of Aiye, the popular film by the late Hubert Ogunde, in which two people died in a stampede to gain entry, the 2,500-seater main hall has remained virtually abandoned. Power failure often shuts down activities and keeps the glow off the crown of the theatre, which was designed to resemble a soldier’s cap. In essence, the national theatre has been a monument in decline.

The bitter reality is that in its present state of decay, the national theatre serves no purpose to the nation’s image or the arts community. If capable private investors are seen to have emerged out of a transparent bidding exercise, with verifiable asset base, it will be counterproductive not to allow the national theatre a new lease of life.

A lifeline beyond the purview of government is an appropriate step to rescue the monument from further decay. The glaring neglect over the years has demonstrated that the government is unwilling to preserve the complex for its symbolic value as a national heritage that should not be treated as a profit-making enterprise. The salvation of the national theatre, therefore, lies in the hands of competent private

Berlin, GERMANY - World Travel & Tourism is expected to generate in excess of US$7 trillion in 2007, rising to over US$13 trillion over the coming decade according to the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) research, sponsored by Accenture and prepared by Oxford Economics.

The new TSA results show strong performance for Travel & Tourism Demand in 2007, growing at a rate of 3.9 per cent. This forecast points to a mature but steady phase of growth for World Travel & Tourism in the short and medium term, averaging 4.3 per cent per annum, between 2008 and 2017.

WTTC's latest findings reveal that the world's largest Travel & Tourism Economies are holding strong in the top 10 list for 2007. The United States continues in its pole position with Travel & Tourism Demand accounting for more than US$1,689.3 billion this year.

The world's high performers - defined as countries set to grow fastest over 2007 and the decade to come - WTTC results show that Montenegro, China and India top the list, with demand growing each year at a rate of 10.1 per cent, 9.1 per cent and 7.9 per cent respectively. These countries have consistently appeared in the top three positions over the past 4 years, consolidating their growth year on year. Their strong foothold in terms of performance is underscored by a sustained expansion in their Travel & Tourism industry as a result of focussed strategic development and targeted investment. On the other hand, countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad who also figure in the top ten are boosted to these positions as a result of a sudden or sharp rebound in their economy and Travel & Tourism activity.

Other countries featured on WTTC's high performers list include Croatia, Romania and Namibia, all of which are countries that recently adopted a Simulated Tourism Satellite Account, empowering them with an economic measurement tool that can direct sound decision-making.

In summary, this year's forecasts show all-round consolidated growth. In contrast to the steep end of the curve experienced in 2006, 2007 is a year where growth trajectories are rounding off to more mature levels. The outlook is one of healthy and stable progress for the industry.