When I spoke of the fact that Akwa Ibom is the most prepared state for tourism growth in Nigeria, some people where very bitter. Look, The Ibom Resort deals Obudu Cattle Ranch a severe get-out-of-my-face- kind of blow! So, what else is left as bragging right for Cross rivers? Okay, Christmas Carnival? After it ends first week of January, it is boxed and stored away for ten months! The Ibom Resort has a world rated golf course. There is this new stadium that even APC has not been able to fault...I await their vituperation on that one, though. Then there is the super-network of Julius Berger built roads, the aesthetic beauty, enhanced by the fountains and cleanliness. So, when you have world class hotels, world class golf course, world class stadium, the longest coastline in Nigeria = world class tourism potential. If you consider that Tinapa, which should have been turned into a world-class health farm and wellness resort is still looking confused at its own future, you can begin begin to understand why it will take the most visionary leader to steer the tourism industry in that state in the right direction, shake off the ghost of failure past! Oh wait, some told me that the state has positioned itself as a conference destination. I hear you! If Akwa Ibom decides to build several conference centres along the shoreline, how would you beat that! Lets get real with this tourism thing. Too much mouth-action, joor!
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 12:16:18 +0000