C'River; Tourism Stakeholders Laud Otu Over Steps To Revive Sector, Appeals For Tax Holidays
By Ekanem Asuquo
Stakeholders in the tourism sector have commended Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River for drastic measures adopted by his administration aimed at resuscitating the sector in the state despite a few months in office.
Chairman, Cross River State Hoteliers Association and Managing Director, Pyramid Hotels, Mr Charles Ogar made the commendation during a Tourism Stakeholders Consultative Forum in Calabar, packaged by Cross River State Tourism Board.
According to Ogar," This sector has been moribund for almost a decade now. Our worst nightmare was the last administration.Countless number of hotels folded up while some were converted to hostels due to government's insensitivity, neglect, and draconian economic policies which impacted negatively on the hospitality industry, coupled with COVID-19"
"It's heartwarming that since the end of Donald Duke's era which remains our best in the sector, this is the first time the government has deemed it wise to initiate a forum of this nature with a view of identifying and tackling challenges confronting our businesses.
He expressed appreciation to the Governor for approving a grant of one million naira each to ten hotels noting that the gesture will assist in upgrading facilities and enhancing the aesthetics of benefiting outfits ahead of the Calabar Carnival
In his opening remarks, the Managing Director, Cross River State Tourism Board, Prince Ekpenyong Ojoi disclosed that the fora were meant"To address prevailing challenges in the sector, strengthen existing synergy by exploring ways of mutual collaboration to guarantee optimum service delivery needed to keep tourists coming"
" We are here to work out a template for the disbursement of the N10m grant approved by our Governor, Senator Bassey Otu as part of the incentives to stimulate the tourism sector, beginning from the hospitality industry which is a critical component"
"The present administration is poised to go the extra mile to bring the tourism industry back on track. We need to be on the same page to achieve this goal for mutual benefits"
Speaking, a veteran in the hospitality circle,Chief Raymond Ugba Murphy expressed delight over the grant from the state government describing the development as heartwarming and indicative of better days ahead
"We know the amount is little, but the idea, bold step, and political will behind this gesture is huge and deserving of accolades. We are optimistic that this is one in a series of incentives from this humane government needed to revamp our tourism sector which has been dormant for years"
Commenting, the Vice President, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Justina Ovat said the theme of the forum"Empowering Hotels Investing in Excellence-Our Commitment to Sustainable Tourism" was apt and timely, urging the Bureau to sustain the current momentum to ensure attainment of optimum results vital needed rejig the sector.
Participants who spoke decried bad road networks, multiple levies, high taxation, and harassment from revenue agents, and called for tax holidays, capacity building, regular interactions as well as concrete action to boost the inflow of visitors to the state.
