Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umoh Eno has perfected plans to unveil ‘ARISE agenda’ during the 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) billed to hold on July 20, 2023 at the Nicon Luxury in Abuja.
The initiative is to turnaround the tourism fortunes of the state and position it as must-visit destination for tourists around the globe. As the first official forum to unveil his master-plan to grow the Akwa Ibom tourism industry, ‘ARISE’ Agenda is geared towards promoting significant investments in upgrading and developing tourism infrastructure in the state.
During the forum, the governor who is also the FTAN AGM’s Special Guest, would speak on how the ARISE agenda is targeted towards propelling Akwa Ibom tourism to new heights.
In a statement, Governor Eno said the event would put to the fore sustainable tourism initiatives by implementing eco-friendly measures, conserving natural resources, and protecting the region’s rich biodiversity, its stunning landscapes and unique ecosystems will be preserved for generations to come. “Akwa Ibom State boasts a wealth of cultural treasures waiting to be discovered. The event would also address destination marketing and promotion through strategic campaigns, collaborations with travel influencers, and participation in international tourism events. Also community involvement and empowerment by engaging local communities in the tourism sector, providing training and opportunities for entrepreneurship, and supporting local businesses, the state can create a sustainable tourism ecosystem that benefits the people.”
He further said: “With the ARISE agenda, Akwa Ibom State is poised to become a premier tourism destination, offering breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and unforgettable experiences.”
Remarking, National President of FTAN, Nkereuwem Onung said the governor’s move is a sign of readiness to not only give tourism a place in the scheme of things, but also rally and form alliance with the organised private sector to boost the tourism promotion.
The FTAN president assured that this year’s AGM is going to be an interesting one because the well-crafted theme; ‘Tourism: Today and Tomorrow- Setting Agenda for the New Administration,’ is timely and prompt to meet the trend of things in the country as Nigeria is experiencing a new face of leadership trend.
“Also, we added a sub-theme; ‘Community Involvement in Tourism Development: Building Partnerships for Sustainable,’ to create a B2B collaboration afterwards.”
