Oyo Solicits Partnership in Tapping Tourism Potential

By Iyabo Adebisi

As the world marks Tourism Day, Oyo state government says it is poised to make the tourism sector its major revenue source to avoid relying on Federal allocation to cater for the people.

The state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun stated this while answering questions from journalists at the World Tourism Day held at Captains Bower’s Tower, Oke-Are, Ibadan.

The commissioner, who noted that the state has 168 tourism sites, maintained that if they are fully harnessed, the revenue of the state would improve.

Dr Olatunbosun, therefore, called on investors and well meaning Oyo state indigenes to partner government on tourism for the progress of the state.

In a remark, CEO Farms and Sports Resort, Chief Dotun Sanusi stated that tourism is a catalyst for economic growth, cultural exchange and community development.

Chief Sanusi, therefore, called for synergy to tap potential in tourism sector in the state with a view to achieving 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, adopted by the United Nations in 2015.

Others, who spoke on the occasion of the World Tourism Day including former first lady in the state, Chief Mutiat Ladoja, Babaloja General of Oyo state, Alhaji Yekini Abass and culture advocate, Nurudeen Akinade, urged the stakeholders in the tourism sector to increase awareness on the state’s tourism sites and resuscitate moribund sites to preserve the state’s cultural heritage.