As parts of efforts geared towards galvanizing development through local economy and attract foreign investments into the State, the Ogun State government is set to give maximum support to the tourism sector for sustainable growth.
The state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun stated this during his message to commemorate the 45th World Tourism Day Celebration organized by the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism held at the Cultural Center, kuto, Abeokuta.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Engineer Noimot Sakako-Oyedele noted fir sustainable growth and to be at par with international best practices, there is need to develop all-inclusive long and short-term tourism blueprints that would boost the economy of the state, as the world is gradually putting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic behind it.
The governor noted that the move of rebranding the sector after the COVID-19 experience is necessary in order to retain and support the state’s tourism potential for effective economic, socio-cultural and political development.
He identified insufficient innovation and technology; insecurity of lives and properties; inadequate education and orientation; inadequate public partnership among others as factors mitigating tourism development in the country.
Governor Abiodun described the theme for the 2022 celebration, “Rethinking Tourism” as apt and instructive with the aim of reconsidering different approaches to place tourism as a viable vehicle of development, as the economies around the world continue to improve from the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Although the World has settled into this new normal, but the impact has not been fully gained. You will agree with me that the sharp decline in productivity, job creation and revenue generation in the Tourism sector has not been fully restored.
“It is, therefore, necessary that all hands must be on deck to bring the glory of the Tourism Sector back to reality. All stakeholders including the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Governments must continue to ensure significant progress in making Tourism a central driver of the Green, the Blue and Digital economies,” he added.
Delivering her remarks, the state commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, underscores the importance of tourism in any economy which she said cannot be over-emphasised.
” It is a vital ingredient for the success of many economies around the world. Apart from the fact that tourism boosts the revenue of the economy, it creates thousands of jobs, develops the infrastructures of a country, and plants a sense of cultural exchange between foreigners and citizens”.
The Commissioner noted that the state government is ready to revamp every project, sites and programmes that will endear it to visitors, tourists and investors alike.
