Tourism & Lifestyle | World Tourism Day: Imo State has what it takes to transform into a tourism haven - Uche Ohia
World Tourism Day: Imo State has what it takes to transform into a tourism haven - Uche Ohia
Tourism is one of the world’s most important economic sectors. It employs one in every ten people on Earth and provides livelihoods to hundreds of millions more.
The United Nation stated that Tourism is a recognized pillar of most – if not all – the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), particularly Goals 1 (no poverty), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 10 (reduce inequalities).
World Tourism Day has been held on 27 September each year since 1980. The date marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Statutes of the Organization in 1970, paving the way for the establishment of UNWTO five years later. The 2021 World Tourism day celebration has as its theme, "Tourism for Inclusive growth"
Imo state was not left out in the celebration as the Ministry of Tourism organised a programme to mark the World Tourism day. The event was held at the Heroes Sqaure Concourse, new Owerri.
The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism Mazi Uche Ohia used the occasion to outline the vision of the governor towards the Tourism sector.
"This theme is in tandem with the vision of our dear Governor, His Excellency, Dist. Senator Hope Uzodinma. That vision is to make Imo State an irresistible destination not only for leisure and entertainment but also for business, conference, educational, medical, heritage and eco-tourism".
"His firm commitment to that vision has been demonstrated through unwavering dedication to strengthening the security architecture for the security of lives and property, delivery of high quality infrastructural projects and introduction of innovative urban renewal initiatives. These are irreducible minimum strategies for creating a sustainable tourism environment".
He added that the state goverment and the ministry are open to partnership with relevant stakeholders in the tourism industry with the aim of transforming the state into a tourism haven - "We are working with optimism to harness the tourism potentials of our state because we have a tourism-friendly Governor in his Excellency, Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodinma and, with the synergy of stakeholders and Imo people, the Wind of Positive Change will blow in the Tourism Sector in Imo State in the months ahead for the benefit of all"
"With a strategic location, a diverse and scenic ecosystem, fascinating cultural performances and natural endowments, scintillating traditions, a legacy of investment in hotels and hospitality, and an enduring heritage of recreation and hospitality, Imo State has what it takes to transform into a tourism haven - a major tourism hub locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The present administration is structuring partnerships with stakeholders across the tourism value chains - investors, communities, the academia, the media, etc - to achieve that goal"
"We are updating our databases so as to make tourism information readily available for conference planners, for prospective visitors and for the world at large. Soon we shall unveil the Directory of Hotel & Ancilliary facilities in Imo State, the Imo State Tourist Guide, the Imo State Tourism Calendar and other informative publications for multimedia circulation.Our Roadmap is geared towards reappraisal and rehabilitation of our Tourist sites, inspection, grading, training and recertification of hospitality facilities, and upscaling of the tourism environment to enhance access to all tourism clusters".
In attendance was the Chairman Imo state council of traditional institute and state community policing HRM Eze (Dr.) E.C. Okeke, the Honourable commissioner for Tourism Mazi Uche Ohia, the permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism Mr. T.U.C. Nwaokonkwo.
High point of the event was the flag off of the World Tourism Day 2021 essay contest and launch of zoo animal adaptation scheme.
Happy World Tourism Day!
