Hospitality & Tourism: How ex- governor Duke Inspired me - Don
By Olanrewaju BABATUNDE
A professor of Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Marketing and Management in the University of Calabar, Prof Bassey Esu has saluted the ingenuity of Cross River state ex-governor, Mr. Donald Duke, recalling how Duke positively influenced his career path in the hospitality and tourism sector.
He disclosed this in his presentation during the University of Calabar 136th inaugural lecture, entitled ‘Hospitality-Centric Philosophy: the Spirit and Soul of Destination Product and the Piggyback of Development’, yesterday in Calabar.
Esu, who described Duke as the protagonist of Cross River state tourism, said his story won’t be complete without a mention of the ex-governor.
The Donald Duke’s led administration in Cross River state spanning between May 29, 1999- May 29, 2007, is reputed for its tourism and hospitality drive that carved a niche for the state in the global map as a preferred destination for tourism, hospitality and leisure.
The BeagleNews reports that as part of his administration’s policy thrust in the tourism sector, the Duke’s administration turned the Obudu Cattle Ranch into the famous Obudu Ranch Resort, established the first intra-state air flight from Calabar to Bebi airstrip, established the Tinapa business and leisure resort, among other enablers to actualize the dream of having a state economy that was largely private sector driven.
Acknowledging these feats in his inaugural lecture note, Prof Esu promised to sustain his intellectual contribution while consolidating on the achievements of the government towards the development of the tourism and hospitality sector in the state.
“My second major career shift into hospitality was heavily influenced by former Cross River state governor, Mr. Donald Duke, the protagonist of Cross River state tourism.
“By 2002, there were very few Cross Riverians with academic expertise in hospitality and tourism management, and no hospitality and tourism department existed at the University of Calabar or any other Nigerian university” Esu’s lecture note read in part.
Earlier, in his presentation, Prof Esu said the inaugural lecture was first conceived in 2023, after a thorough, multi-theoretical examination of factors influencing destination development.
According to him, at the end of the intellectual exercise, the importance of hospitality in destination development was considered crucial.
He said the lecture seeks to promote awareness of the dire role of destination hospitality orientation towards destination development as well as the responsibilities of researchers, professionals among other stakeholders in order to build sustainably d
eveloped communities.
