C'River: Tourism Bureau Boss Unveils Interim Options To Rejuvenate Sector
By Edem ITA
In a bid to rejig the Tourism Sector in Cross River with a view of regaining its lost savor and glamour, the Cross River Tourism Bureau has unveiled a short-term innovative agenda as a road map to kick off the recovery plan.
Managing Director, of Cross River Tourism Bureau, Mr Ojoi Ekpenyong who announced the proposed plan during a media parley in Calabar said the drastic measures have become imperative to reclaim the eroded glory of the Tourism sector after years of lull arising from neglect and poor funding.
He disclosed that; The carefully drafted agenda is meant to stimulate public-private engagement, attract funders, and reposition the state as the premium tourism destination in the country".
According to the Tourism Bureau helmsman; The dynamic short-term plan is aimed at reigniting the tourism sector, fostering private sector engagement, while reaffirming our commitment to making Cross River a premier tourist hub in sub-sahara Africa and beyond".
"We intend to leverage our rich cultural events and festivals to enrich our tourism content to stimulate the needed traffic capable of jump-starting the once flamboyant sector which attracted International accolades and recognition".
Mr Ekpenyong enumerated the interim strategies to include strengthening stakeholders' participation through robust synergy, branding existing tourism attractions for the global limelight, encouraging private sector investment to complement government efforts as well and capacity building to drive aggressive marketing campaigns expected to rekindle public interest.
Other options put forward by the Bureau are floating of tourism information centers for public input, effective partnership with tour operators and travel agents, the introduction of a Tourism Ambassador programme to serve as a brand marketer, and a quality assurance mechanism to promote global best practices in the sector.
In his words; "Mr. The approach is a quick-fix formula adopted after rigorous deliberations and is intended to guarantee smart tangible results to provide a launching pad for an elaborate concept to reflect the vision and aspirations of the new administration christened, the season of sweetness".
He lauded the state Governor, Senator Bassey Otu for the appointment which he noted as afforded him the privilege to contribute his quota to the tourism ecosystem of the state.
