Gov Umo Eno Reiterates Importance of A’Ibom Tourism Master Plan
By Inimfon Silas
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has reiterated the importance of tourism Master Plan for the overall development of the tourism sub sector of the State’s economy.
Governor Eno who stated this at day 2 of Akwa Ibom State Government Exco Briefing/End of the Year review taking place at Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, the State capital, noted that the master plan has been provided for in 2025 Budget of the State and directed the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh to convene a Tourism summit next year in which key Stakeholders will meet and bare minds for the State to have a comprehensive and workable Tourism Master Plan.
Sir Charles Udoh, Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism
Describing tourism as the in-thing globally, the State Governor explained that there are a lot of untapped tourism sites across the nooks and crannies of the State and if well developed will successfully drive the economy of the State.
The State Governor, called on the the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism to ensure that all hotels operating in the State are accredited with a view to checkmating their operations and services as well as publishing the accredited ones for effective patronage.
Speaking further, he emphasized the needs for the training and retraining of hotels operators and their staff to help them drive the hospitality business with more passion as a life time investment.
While he charged the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to immediately commence plans for next year’s Christmas Unplugged, he however, stressed the need for corporate organizations operating in the State to be contacted for sponsorship of the Christmas events.
Governor Eno who restated his administration’s commitment to complete Ibom Convention center located within Ibom Tropicana Complex, which was initiated by the former administration of Chief God’swill Akpabio, stated that with the completion of Ibom Convention Center. which described as the best in the country, it will not only drive more traffic but will also serve as a game changer for the development of the State.
Speaking earlier, the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Sir Charles Udoh stated that the Christmas Unplugged 2.0 taking place at the Christmas Village, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo has boosted the State’s economy with the influx of tourists into the state since December 1, the event commenced.
While he disclosed that a lot of innovations were brought to bare in this year’s Christmas Carols Festival, with the parade of best gospel singers within and outside the state , the importance of tourism in the revenue generation can never be overemphasized.
Lending their voices to the tourism development of the State, key Stakeholders including Chief Assam Assam, SAN, Chief Adasi Obolo, among others , have poured encomium on the Commissioner, Sir Charles Udoh for his creativity and ingenuity in driving the tourism sector of the State.