…to boost revenue, relies less on oil.
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip has officially launched the Edo State Tourism Master Plan with the singular objective of making the State the choice destination by tourists around the globe.
It is envisioned that with the strategic Tourism Master Plan, Edo State is poised to generate N2 trillion in the next 10 years from the sector.
Receiving the master plan from members of the State’s Tourism Steering Committee at the Government House, Benin City, the Deputy Governor urged all stakeholders to complement the government’s efforts at leveraging its rich cultural heritage in boosting its tourism receipts.
According to him, the government is rethinking tourism to reposition the sector to contribute adequately to the State’s economic growth and development.
He noted: “Today, we present the Edo State Tourism Master Plan to you. We have departed from oil as we are diversifying our economy. Tourism is one of the sectors we are paying critical attention to change the face of the State in terms of infrastructure and revenue generation”.
“We are leveraging our heritage which is unique to us. Our artefacts are scattered all around the world. Edo is the home of sports. We are bringing back sports to encourage tourism in the State. We have created a business-friendly environment and provided infrastructure and security.”
“We have a rich cultural heritage and we are going to take advantage of what we have to boost the tourism sector to grow our revenue. We urge our stakeholders in the hospitality business to join hands with the government as it’s a win-win situation for us. We are urging them to take advantage of the emerging economy”.
“There are only two kingdoms in the world; the United Kingdom and the Benin Kingdom. If the United Kingdom could do it, Benin Kingdom can do better”.
“Ten percent of the world GDP is from tourism and Nigeria will contribute through Edo State to make it twenty percent”, he added.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Tourism Steering Committee and Edo Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq., thanked the Governor for the opportunity given to members of the Committee to develop the master plan for the State, adding: “One major pillar for the tourism master plan is to support the State’s economy and be sustained in sports.”
In his presentation titled: “Rethinking Tourism”, the Alternate Chairman of, the Edo Tourism Master plan Steering Committee, Bismarck Rewane, said the State stands to generate 2 trillion naira in the next 10 years with the Edo State Tourism Master Plan.
He noted: “Edo State with a population of 5 million with about 500,000 voters in the last election, will generate N2 trillion from tourism alone which is ten percent of what the entire Nigeria budgets for a year in tourism”.
“Investment in infrastructure and construction will result in job creation of at least, 2,000 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect jobs in the immediate future.”
The event attracted stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry from across Nigeria.