Ife Grand Resort partners tour operators

Ile Ife, an ancient town with historical relevance in the world is the bastion and paragon of cultural history and values of the Yoruba. In fact, going by the historical documents and popular acclamation, the city is regarded as the bowl of culture and tradition of the universe.  Thus, the reference to Ile–Ife as the source of the world.’

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And it has a lot to show for it in terms of cultural heritage, relics, sacred places, items, and several antediluvian monuments.

And up to now, Ile Ife is one of the few towns in Nigeria where African culture is being venerated according to how it should be.

The potentialities of tourism in Ile-Ife range from historical, religion, educational and values. Over the years there have been concerns about showcasing the tourism potentialities and maximising them for economic development of the town in particular and Osun State in general, Efforts were and still being made by stakeholders but the results were not encouraging.

Apart from the cultural heritage and monuments in Ife, cultural events and festivals also attract a great number of visitors to the ancient community and it has economic advantage on Ile Ife and its environs. These have  also led to the growth of hospitality sector in the community.

One of the new entrants in the industry in Ile-Ife, Ife Grand Resort and Leisure — a multipurpose resort necessitated by passion for excellence service in hospitality and promotion of African tradition is taking many steps at ensuring that Ife’s tourism potentialities are fully realised.

According to Habib  Reuben,  General Manager, Ife Grand Resort. “Ife Grand Resort berthed on the ground of Ile Ife to break ground in hospitality delivery and to stir up the cultural-tourism assets of this city for the benefit of all. We know we cannot do it alone without networking with the various stakeholders, the community where we are, clients – customers and the tour operators and promoters.”

He disclosed that “Ife is a huge gamut of cultural–tourism with a bigger aura of attracting the Diaspora, yet, you will be shocked that even, those of us in Nigeria, I mean domestic consumers don’t know some of these. It behoves us now to serve as the bridge to facilitate the blossoming of Ife tourism economy. This is why we are hosting the tour operators now”.

Mr Reuben revealed “All that we are executing here  is to square and key  into the vision of the proprietor, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife who is establishing the biggest resort in Africa, with  the tradition of quality services and creating a platform to showcase African cultural heritage to the people at home and the diaspora”

“The Resort project is ongoing and part of our plan is to put in place a library and museum where people can really learn about Africa especially the Yoruba, We intend to make the Resort a home for everybody, a place where Africans in the diaspora can come and feel and learn about their history, ancestors and they see the need to contribute to the development of Africa.”

He further disclosed: “We are introducing another dimension into the service we rendered here. Osun State is endowed with a lot of tourism potentialities, we intend to let our guests have  a memorable experience with visits to historical and spiritual sites in Ife, and other major tourism sites around, like  Osun Osogbo Grove, Erin  Ijesa Waterfall, among others.

Addressing a horde of tour operators and travel agencies, Reuben disclosed “We deliberately seek your hands in partnership. A symbiotic partnership which will be beneficial to all and particularly to the tourism economy of Ile-Ife, Osun State and Nigeria. Ife Grand Resort is ready to do business with you and make your clients double satisfied”.

The tour operators who were taken on a guided tour of the Ooni of Ife’s palace were amazed by the historical artefacts of many centuries there-in and were also impressed by the interactive section held with the Ooni.

The Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi Ojaja 11, while speaking to the team in his palace expressed   optimism that domestic tourism is thriving in Nigeria in spite of the infrastructural challenges.

“I am particularly happy with your team coming all the way to see what we have here. It is a testimony that domestic tourism is alive and can grow. I have come to realise that some Nigerians want to leave their being and stressful environment and visit areas where they can enjoy and relax at periodic intervals. This is one of the reasons we planted this Resort here. To give Nigerians a wonderful taste of home away from home in a serene and cool environment with excellence service offered.”

Speaking about the resort, the Ooni said “the Resort is not fully ready, it will be ready by first quarter of 2019. I want to build the largest multipurpose Resort in African that can occupy 8,000 people 250 rooms Resort, African Village where Africans in the diaspora and people at the home can always come and rest and at the same time learn about their roots”

The team of tour operators from Lagos and Ibadan  which  was coordinated by Irinajo.com visited Moremi statue, Opa Oranmiyan. Heritage Museum at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, the Osun sacred grove and Erin Ijesa Waterfall.