Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki
WTD 2023: Edo Govt to rally stakeholders on heritage promotion, protection policy
Edo Government has disclosed of plans to rally industry stakeholders in the state’s tourism sector with a view to getting their inputs on the recently-drafted State Heritage Promotion and Protection Policy, as part of activities lined up to mark the 2023 edition of the World Tourism Day (WTD).
The Edo State Heritage Promotion and Protection Policy is a document designed to set guidelines and implementation strategies for the conservation and promotion of the state’s tangible and intangible heritage materials, in line with efforts to make it a tourist destination of choice.
A statement issued by the State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Tourism, Uyi Oduwa Malaka, disclosed this while unveiling arrangements by the State to join the world in the celebration of this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD), on September 27.
“The World Tourism Day is a day set aside by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to foster awareness of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, and economic values to mankind.
‘‘The theme for this year’s celebration is “Tourism and Green Investment,” which emphasises the vital need for investment in building a tourism sector that delivers for people and the planet.
“Tourism is a positive force of nature that helps to connect our heritage, historicity and our present. It connects culture civilizations and melts humanity into a common narrative of origins and experiences,” Mrs Malaka said.
The commissioner further stated that activities to mark the occasion would hold at the Ogba Zoological Garden on Wednesday September 27, with the major focus on unveiling the State’s Heritage Promotion and Protection Policy.
“it will feature stakeholders input in the recently drafted Edo State Heritage Promotion and Protection Policy, guided tours, workshops and it will highlight some of the milestones recorded by the state government in the tourism space.
“This policy places robust emphasis on preservation, conservation and maintenance of our heritage sites and intangible heritage that is consistent with this year’s theme of green investment,” she added.
Malaka further encouraged participants and stakeholders in the sector to suggest ideas that will promote sustainable tourism practices through environmentally friendly initiatives.
