By Editor
In a bid to establish a strong and viable tourism sector in Ekiti State, the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has, through the office of Ekiti State Bureau of Touurism Development, held a one-day Tourism Policy Development Engagement meeting on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti..
The stakeholders engagement after review, it was gathered, will constitute the draft tourism policy for the State known to be a haven of untapped Tourism potentials for immediate implementation thus making Ekiti State the first in the country to have a clear-cut tourim policy.
Participants at the historic event included critical stakeholders in tourism industry whose opinions, expertise and contributions is key to an enduring tourism policy in the state.
Prominent royal fathers, leaders of thought, educationists, hospitality sector, security operatives, politicians, transporters.. amongst others, converged at the Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House for the crucial assignment.
The DG Bureau of Touurism Development Amb. Wale Ojo-Lanre in his opening address lauded the Governor of Ekiti State for his unrelenting commitment to running a people oriented government based on participatory democracy.
His words; “The Ekiti State Touurism policy is not just a government initiative, it is a collective efforts. For this policy to be effective and impactful, it requires the input and collaboration of all stakeholders such as; our local communities, tourism practitioners, traditional leaders, private sector and other key partners.
Speaking further to his attentive audience, the DG said: “Your insights, challenges and recommendations are invaluable to crafting a policy that is both responsive to local needs and robust enough to withstand external challenges” he said.
He added that Governor Oyebanji has taken proactive steps to invite a renowned global consultancy firm- Overseas Credit and Private Equity Limited whose role is to domesticate and produce a comprehensive tourism policy that would reflect the Governor’s unwavering resolve to make Ekiti a tourism beacon.
Continuing, Ojo-Lanre identifies Tourism as “One of the world’s most dynamic and resilient sectors because it transcends borders and celebrates cultural diversity in addition to fostering economic growth through job creation, investment and community development.
“For Ekiti State, tourism represents not only an opportunity to showcase our unique heritage, scenic landscapes and vibrant culture, but also a pathway to economic diversification”
Speaking on the futuristic value of the proposed policy the DG emphasized the commitment of the State Government for the sustainability of the tourism sector.
According to him; “Our goal is not just to develop tourism for short term, but to create a resilient ecosystem that can flourish for generations to come.
“We aim to strike a balance between development and preservation, ensuring that our natural resources, cultural heritage and local communities are protected even as we promote tourim”
On hand for a presentation of the policy framework for Ekiti Tourism , the consultant, Mr Opeyemi Sanni gave a brilliant thought provoking highlights of the contents contained in the policy, a 17-point action plans for development of sustainable tourim policy in Ekiti State amidst wide applause.
His presentation elicited useful contributions from the audience.
Meanwhile, the office of Bureau of Ekiti State Tourism Development has opened a WhatsApp line 08027562578 for interested members of the public to send their respective views, contributions and suggestions to the office about the subject matter…. Details later.
