The Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), has charged the Oyo State government to practically reflect its position as a pacesetter state in tourism activation to create activities that will promote, develop and market the state to the world.
The National Public Relations Officer of federation, Mr Wale Olapade, said this during a recent invite by the state’s commissioner for culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun on a crucial tourism and hospitality.
According to Olapade “Oyo state has all it takes to become the desire tourism destination in Nigeria if the state carefully puts relevant resources together through purposeful development and investment in tourism value chain.
“We must draw a tourism calendar for tourist activities we have in the state so that tourist will be able to plan upfront for events than having events that do not have specific date to allow international and domestic visitors and tourists who may want to come to properly make adequate arrangements.
“Also there is need for a codified data base for tourist arrivals to the state so that the state government can clearly draw plans for tourism activities as well as map out the right schedule on how to effectively host event to align with global trend since the data is the new leverage for anyone who wants to be relevant in the international tourism space.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun while briefing the FTAN PRO, on the purpose of the invite said the state has tilted to tourism and ready to use its potentialities to attact meaningful investment to the state.
He disclosed that UNESCO has enlisted Sango Festival as an international acclaimed event, giving it a global relevance, which will help to boost its patronage.
“This is a step in the right direction and a testament to the pragmatic effort of the Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to redefine and boost the economy of the state through economic diversification through investment in tourism.
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“We are also on the verge of repackaging the egungun festival with the aim of making it bigger and spectacular for domestic and international tourists and visitors to appreciate. We are also looking at hosting it at a location that will accommodate more audience and convenience too”
Olatunbosun explained that the state is poised to explore its tourism strength through the governor’s genuine drive to attract investors to the state.
“This forms one of the reasons we invited you for a meeting to discuss area of advantage and to implore you to support in attracting investors to take advantage of the new tourism regime of Oyo State. Our governor is interested in creating an enabling event to drive tourism development and promotion.
“We are also open to genuine stakeholders who have innovative idea to practically invest in the industry as we are taking all forms of tourism development serious in order to better the economy of the state as well as create more activities for the private and public sector to strive.”
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