By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday tasked investors to join the State Government in promoting Tourism in the State.
The governor stated this at this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) held at the 246 steps Ado-Awaye Hills, Iseyin Local Government, Iseyin.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Tourism, Honourable. Ademola Ige, Governor Makinde said ” tourism is a viable alternative to oil and other sources of revenue generation in the country.”
According to the governor, the time has come for Stakeholders in the Tourism industries, and general public to be part of the tourism development efforts in Oyo State.
While tasking stakeholders in the tourism industry to partner with the state government in order to make the sector a catalyst for positive change, Gov Makinde stressed that this year’s World Tourism Day theme: ‘Tourism for inclusive growth’ is apt, as the State Government is set to work with investors on Public Private Partnership scheme.
Chairman, Iseyin Local Government Area, Hon. Muftau Osuolale Abilawon in his remarks declared that the Local Government is ready to expand the tourism potentials of Ado-Awaye adding that the site has placed Oyo state on World map.
“We need to make our tourism sites attractive for the people and that is the why we have decided to promote our domestic tourism. We need to keep our currency in the country. Our philosophy is to identify, package and promote our tourist attractions.”
The climax of the one day activities, hosted by the Alado of Ado-Awaye, Oba Olugbile Ademola was the conferment of Ambasadorial Awards on twenty nine recipients, while forty Government functionaries and Tourism Promoters were awarded for their roles in promoting tourism in the State.
Part of activities marking the 2021 World Tourism Day was mountaineering at the Ado Awaye suspended lake which is one of the two lakes of such in the World.
