BY SAM DUVWODE
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that Delta State with its diverse ethnicity and multiplicity of cultures has all it takes to become the tourist destination of Africa in the near future.
Dr. Okowa made the assertion yesterday while declaring open the International Hospitality, Tourism and Eco-Sustainability Forum, (IHTEF), organised by Sustainable Eco6tems in collaboration with the Delta State Tourism Board, held at Asaba, Delta State.
While stating that developing its tourism potentials will mean achieving SMART as tourism is important to actualizing any reasonable socio-economic advancement, Dr. Okowa who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, noted that the state will take its place on the tourism map as it is home to many tourism sites, monuments and envious historical lineages, ranging from the Lander Brothers Anchorage in Asaba, to the Nana Living History Museum, Koko, the Ethiope River Source, Umuaja, the Mount Ned Nwoko, Idumuje-Ugboko and the Bible Site, Araya, as well as others.
The governor, who noted that, fully developing the potentials of hospitality and tourism in the state will go a long way in reducing the several challenges faced today, urged the private sectors, investors operators, financial institutions as well as policy makers to join the state in its resolve to pursue development in the tourism sector.
According to him, at this time of human and technological growth, as well as the grave challenges as a result of dwindling oil revenue, in addition to growing opprobrium of accessing foreign exchange, there is need for us as a people and a state to continue to patronize our own products and services.
“ The fact that Delta State is situated near to the River Niger and bounded by many rivers and oceans, beautified by unrivalled beaches and interesting biodiversity places it way above other states in tourism, especially eco-tourism potentials. Delta State is known to be the “land of a thousand dances” and I dare to add, a “land of unlimited festivals and unending wonders”. The governor stated.
He highlighted some issues that confront the pursuit of improved hospitality and tourism to include; insecurity, climate change, epidemics, insufficient funds and poor infrastructure, adding that insecurity and climate change portend very grave dangers to actualizing the great tourism potentials in Delta State.
While noting that terrorism is a major threat to tourism, he however urged all to ensure that we develop our tourism in sustainable ways that can help the state mitigate the devastating impact of global climate change, as well as continuing to sustain the peace and contain the few threats that exist.
Earlier, The Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Eco6tems, Mr. Chibuikem Diala, noted that IHTEF is designed to be the largest convocation of sustainable solutions that will drive the sector into its enviable position in the continent of Africa.
Mr. Diala noted that, today, a global tourism map is gradually being re-drawn and the odds is in favour of Africa, especially Nigeria, adding that there is a new ‘oil’ in tourism that must be explored to sustainability, hence the theme for the 2016 forum is “Progress Through Sustainable Hospitality And Tourism” with a focus on South and East of Nigeria.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that Delta State with its diverse ethnicity and multiplicity of cultures has all it takes to become the tourist destination of Africa in the near future.
Dr. Okowa made the assertion yesterday while declaring open the International Hospitality, Tourism and Eco-Sustainability Forum, (IHTEF), organised by Sustainable Eco6tems in collaboration with the Delta State Tourism Board, held at Asaba, Delta State.
While stating that developing its tourism potentials will mean achieving SMART as tourism is important to actualizing any reasonable socio-economic advancement, Dr. Okowa who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, noted that the state will take its place on the tourism map as it is home to many tourism sites, monuments and envious historical lineages, ranging from the Lander Brothers Anchorage in Asaba, to the Nana Living History Museum, Koko, the Ethiope River Source, Umuaja, the Mount Ned Nwoko, Idumuje-Ugboko and the Bible Site, Araya, as well as others.
The governor, who noted that, fully developing the potentials of hospitality and tourism in the state will go a long way in reducing the several challenges faced today, urged the private sectors, investors operators, financial institutions as well as policy makers to join the state in its resolve to pursue development in the tourism sector.
According to him, at this time of human and technological growth, as well as the grave challenges as a result of dwindling oil revenue, in addition to growing opprobrium of accessing foreign exchange, there is need for us as a people and a state to continue to patronize our own products and services.
“ The fact that Delta State is situated near to the River Niger and bounded by many rivers and oceans, beautified by unrivalled beaches and interesting biodiversity places it way above other states in tourism, especially eco-tourism potentials. Delta State is known to be the “land of a thousand dances” and I dare to add, a “land of unlimited festivals and unending wonders”. The governor stated.
He highlighted some issues that confront the pursuit of improved hospitality and tourism to include; insecurity, climate change, epidemics, insufficient funds and poor infrastructure, adding that insecurity and climate change portend very grave dangers to actualizing the great tourism potentials in Delta State.
While noting that terrorism is a major threat to tourism, he however urged all to ensure that we develop our tourism in sustainable ways that can help the state mitigate the devastating impact of global climate change, as well as continuing to sustain the peace and contain the few threats that exist.
Earlier, The Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Eco6tems, Mr. Chibuikem Diala, noted that IHTEF is designed to be the largest convocation of sustainable solutions that will drive the sector into its enviable position in the continent of Africa.
Mr. Diala noted that, today, a global tourism map is gradually being re-drawn and the odds is in favour of Africa, especially Nigeria, adding that there is a new ‘oil’ in tourism that must be explored to sustainability, hence the theme for the 2016 forum is “Progress Through Sustainable Hospitality And Tourism” with a focus on South and East of Nigeria.
No comments:
Post a Comment