Akwa Ibom State has tourism potentials that could fetch revenue in a more sustainable manner than crude oil if properly developed and managed. Also, an investment in the tourism industry will, in addition to creating an alternative source of income, become a functional instrument of integration among communities in the state.
According to Dr. Okonofua Usiaholo Anthony, Chairman of Tourism Development Implementation Committee, the state is endowed with very unique natural and historical tourism sites that could readily be transformed into money spinning ventures.
“As the crude oil is globally becoming a secondary income earner, if this tourism industry is well managed, I’m very positive that government can earn so much in terms of taxation of various tourism facilities and activities. The industry embodies very many activities including domestic tourism, ecotourism, educational tourism, and many others that will attract direct income from visiting tourists, who will bring in foreign exchange into the State’s treasury”
The University don was enthusiastic that the state is ripe for a sustained income generation in an industry that has huge economic and socio-political values.
“There is a good platform for tourism to thrive in Akwa Ibom State, right from infrastructural facilities that are currently on ground, especially good road network, recreational facilities spread across the state that constitute tourist attractions, added to natural and historical tourist sites. The Tourism Development Implementation Committee is aiming to integrate private practitioners into partnership with government to develop the industry and not leave it entirely to government alone. Private partnership participation plays a great role in the development of tourism industries all over the world, especially Europe, because of its gigantic investment turnover.
We are working on these various ideas and researching into templates for a viable tourism sector in the state”, he said.
He also disclosed that the committee, which was mandated to interact with tourism stakeholders across the state and draw up a road map that will chart a way forward for the industry, has not rested on its oars since inauguration, but is working hard to produce results within specific time frame.
“From all indication, we find it very significant that we must have a package that is community compliant. It should not be an abstract idea imposed on the people therefore we are embarking on series of fact findings and conscientiously building bridges with stakeholders including community elders, private tourism practitioners and promoters, who have been in the industry for years now. Their contributions, in line with the existing government policies on tourism will form part of the recommendations that the committee hope to forward to government for consideration and implementation”.
He further revealed that tourism could be used as an instrument of reconciling all interest groups in the state, noting that “as tourism permeates every community and involves everybody, it will make people work together in harmony. There will be trade collaborations and job creation through entrepreneurial development concepts, thus enhancing self sustenance and economic development especially in the rural areas. Trade collaboration has been known to promote healthy environment and communal unity among the people.
He therefore expressed conviction that the state, which already has a reputation as tourist destination, has what it takes to compete favorably in the industry and attract sizeable tourists traffic.
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