… as FTAN pledges to promote its tourism assets
Akwa Ibom State Government has called on the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and various tourism stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry to partner with the state in developing its tourism assets by attracting investors to the state.
The call was made by the Deputy Governor of the State, Senator (Mrs) Akon Etim Eyakenyi when she played host to the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) members, who paid a visit on her. This is as FTAN who is Uyo for its Governor Council Meeting and Experience Ibom Tour event, pledged the promotion of the State tourism attractions.
The Deputy Governor, who noted that Akwa Ibom is the most peaceful and safest state in Nigeria, disclosed that Akwa Ibom is already a known tourist destination but that the State government is making efforts to make it a better destination, saying, ‘‘Akwa Ibom like everybody knows is today a destination but we are looking forward to making it a better destination for the entire world.’’
While noting that tourism has the potential to boost the economy of the state and the nation, however, she said this can only be achieved when investment is made in developing the sector and tourist sites for them to attract people.
‘‘It is when we invest in tourism sites that would attract people to come. There is no way a group of people would come into Akwa Ibom State that they would not buy fish. That they would not go to the raffia city to pick raffia and other things like that,’’ said the Deputy Governor.
To this end, she not only charged but extended formal invitation to FTAN and other tourism stakeholders to, ‘‘encourage investors to partner with the state for the development of such tourism sites like the slave trade in Ikot Abasi, it needs to be developed.
‘‘In such development, it is not just the state government alone and that is why we are opened to investors to come in to partner with the state government to develop such sites.’’
She is also disclosed the efforts made in close to two years by the state government to develop and transform the state through huge investment in infrastructure and various aspects of the State through its ARISE Agenda.
Earlier in his remark, the President of FTAN, Nkereuwem Onung, who is also the Honourary Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to the Governor, pledged the commitment of FTAN in partnering with the state government not only to develop but to promote its tourism.
‘‘We promise to continue to promote the state so that the vision of the Governor for tourism in Akwa Ibom State will be realised. Your Excellency, we are no longer that state that they used to say is the best kept secret, but today, Akwa Ibom State is no more the best kept secret but it is the new face of tourism in Africa,’’ disclosed Onung.
#FTAN #ExperienceIbom #FTANtoursAkwaIbom
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