Experts have tasked the Rivers State government to swiftly lay plans to exploit the tourism subsector, which they said has more wealth potential than the hydrocarbon industry.

The Director-General of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), Yibo Koko, made the disclosure in Port Harcourt during the World Tourism Day celebration.

Koko noted that a consultant had worked hard to study the tourism potential of the state and that the true value of the industry was identified, along with targets for where the industry could reach.

Meanwhile, the state government has entered into a partnership with an investor, the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, to take actions toward achieving the target.

The state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, have bagged peace awards at the recently held event.

Speaking further, the Director-General of RSTDA highlighted the “low-hanging fruits” that can be tapped to help Rivers State reclaim its leading role in tourism.

Also, the Mayor of Housing, a partner to the RSTDA, said tourism is capable of attracting investors to boost employment and revenue generation.

He noted that the return of investors to the state would help heal years of anger and friction in the state.

Recall that Rivers State developed a robust tourism industry when it created the State’s Cultural Festival during the tenure of the late Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas as Commissioner of Culture and Tourism. This concept attracted the attention of the then Military President, Yakubu Gowon, who tapped Graham-Douglas as Minister, leading to the creation of Festac ’77.

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However, years later, the tourism boom went into a lull until former Governor Chibuike Amaechi revived it, but it died again.

Koko said the arrival of Governor Fubara has rekindled the hunger and hopes for a cultural revival and the tourism industry.

He affirmed that the famous Tourist Beach in the town area of the Garden City would soon bounce back and become an international tourist attraction.

He also noted that the zoo would be revamped to attract visitors worldwide with rare animals, adding that other business activities associated with such places would also flourish.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Ishmael Dieokuma, assured that the governor’s commitment to reviving the sector would restore peace and happiness in the state.