Ekiti State government has expressed its resolve to partner tourism development operators to help develop local tourism sites in the state as part of efforts to drive its shared prosperity agenda for the people.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji who stated this in Ado Ekiti while receiving a team from the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) led by its President, Mrs Ime Udo, in his office said the move was part of efforts to advance economic development through tourism.
He also said that a bureau of tourism development that would focus mainly on harnessing and developing the state’s tourism potentials would be established to make Ekiti number one destination of choice for tourists.
The Governor explained that tourism development remains a key component of his administration’s six- pillar development agenda and would be separated from the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism as currently structured and would become a standalone Bureau of Tourism, positioning the sector for thorough supervision and the right attention.
The governor noted that the development of new tourism destinations in the state would help reduce the rate at which Nigerians travel abroad for adventure purposes, adding that his government is working assiduously to transform the state into a tourism hub by exploring and promoting the potential that abounds in Ekiti.
While noting that the state has thriving and viable tourism platforms to attract visitors and also create jobs and business opportunities, Governor Oyebanji stressed that tourism has a very huge potential to drive prosperity, employment, and development of the state.
Governor Oyebanji promised to scale up security in the state, especially in all the tourist destinations to allay fears of national and international tourists on security challenges.
He stated further that his government had designated Ikogosi, Ipole-Iloro and Efon-Alaaye as tourism corridors of the state, adding that the state is also planning to build a Zoological Garden in the same axis as other interesting tourist sites would also be developed.
Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Mrs Ime Udo said the team was in Ekiti state to seek partnership with the government on the hosting of its tourism conference in the state and ways to develop its tourism destinations.
