Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State
Akwa Ibom Govt firms ARISE Agenda with WTD hosting for industry operators
[By VICTOR NZE]
Akwa Ibom Government in line with its ARISE Agenda geared towards lifting the tourism sector of its economy, has concluded arrangements to play host to the 2023 edition of the World Tourism Day (WTD) celebration in the state.
The Akwa Ibom’s ARISE Agenda, evolved by State Governor, Umo Eno aims at repositioning the state’s tourism sector by revitalising the infrastructural base and redesigning its destination marketing tools to achieve improved results of improving contribution of the sector to the economy.
The WTD 2023 celebration will be organised in collaboration with the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), which is the umbrella body of private sector operators in the industry.
The WTD 2023 will be held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital city.
The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Tourism & Green Investment’.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has identified investments as one of the key priorities for tourism’s recovery and future growth and development.
The World Tourism Day WTD 2023 is expected to gather tourism practitioners from across Nigeria, heads of Federal and State agencies in the sector and key stakeholders, including practitioners who are expected to converge on the state from the 26th to 28th September 26 through to 28, to mark the global event.
Akwa Ibom Government has already unveiled activities lined up for the three-day event to include a Tourism Conference & Award Nite for Sept 27, as well as visits to ‘State Tourism Assets.’
Ahead of the event, the UNWTO highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for people, for planet and for prosperity. It will be a call to action to the international community, governments, multilateral financial institutions, development partners and private sector investors to unite around a new tourism investment strategy.
According to FTAN President, while commenting on the programme, all executive committee members of the various affiliated operators’ groups in the state are expected to attend the events.
“Owners and operators of Hospitality, Catering and Leisure facilities should prepare adequately to host to the teeming guests that are coming in,” Mr Onung, who also ‘doubles as the Senior Special Adviser to the Akwa Ibom Governor on Tourism, said in a statement.
