By Editor
The determined efforts of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji to develop tourism sector as one of the six pillars of his administration was again came to the front burner on Thursday as critical stakeholders from private and public sector converged in Ado Ekiti at the presentation of Ekiti State Tourism Masterplan.
The draft review session held at Old Ex-Co Chamber of cabinet Wing, Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti drew large crowd of participants from several Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as traditional institution, security outfit, hospitality industry, media, amongst others.
In his opening address, the DG, Bureau of Tourism Development, Barr. wale Ojo- Lanre emphasized the point that the Ekiti Tourism Masterplan is not government’s possession but entirely a public driven and people-centric initiative in which government is a mere enabler.
His words: Our Governor, His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has been clear and unwavering in his belief that tourism is a private-sector-driven enterprise. Government is but an enabler, a facilitator, a partner. The real engine and real driver is you -the investors, the practitioners and the innovators. His Excellency has mandated that your voices, not government’s must dominate this strategy”
The DG, while introducing the Red Clay Group, the lead consultant for the Masterplan, appreciated the organization for their diligence, creativity and commitment towards presenting a framework that can lift Ekiti Tourism from the floor to the peak.
He however drew the attention of the participants to take cognizant of the fact that the Masterplan is still a draft or a work-in- progress to be scrutinized, modified and tinkered with by the stakeholders who are the original owners of the document.
In conclusion, Ojo Lanre posited that if the proposed Masterplan is perfected, it will be a golden key that unlocks jobs for the youths, investments for entrepreneurs, cultural pride for the people as well as international recognition for Ekiti State.
In her presentation of the draft review session, the resource person and lead consultant, Red Clay Group, Dr Adun Okupe gave a good account of herself as a cerebral widely travelled strategist while delivering the awe inspiring lecture to the attentive audience.
At least about four papers were presented that contained in a summary of the Tourism System which the renowned Tourism advisory group further splited to: Attractions, Information, People, People and Place, Services and Facilities, Transportation and Communication.
According to her, the whole gamut of tourism hovers around the six tourism ecosystem anywhere in the world noting that Ekiti has the potential to fit in as an important tourism destination.
She identified a number of archetypes in tourism ecosystem such as adventure tourism, wellness and nature based tourism, diaspora tourism, education tourism, health and medical tourism as well as elderly and retirement tourism amongst others.
She avers that Ekiti State is in a better position as a leading tourism haven in all of the above mentioned tourism ecosystem in an enabling environment for sustainability.
The program provided an interactive session where audience participated in raising questions and proffering solutions to some nagging problems in the sector.
The GM of Ekiti StateTourism Development, Dr Babasoji Awe, Prince Banji Adelusi, Director, Ministry of Culture, representative of the Olupole, Red Clay Group, Executive Secretary Bureau of Tourism Development Mr. Morakinyo, Mrs Adesola amongst others.
