By Balimwor Ekpe
In a bid to properly harness the huge tourism potentials as well as maximize its value to attract foreign earnings in line with the vision of the Governor of Cross River State, Sen (Prince) Bassey Otu, the Federal Ministry of Tourism and Cross River State Government are considering collaboration to develop the sector.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Chief Ewa Robert Abubakar, dropped the hint to newsmen shortly after he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade John in her office in Abuja, Tuesday.
According to Ewa, the visit was premised on collaboration and development of cultural and tourism infrastructure in Cross River State, especially, the Obudu Ranch Resort and other identified tour sites, with priority in ecotourism both in the state and at the Federal level.
The Commissioner revealed that the Cross River tourism sector with support from the State Governor Sen.(Prince) Bassey Otu is adding more offerings that will translate into tangible value by moving beyond Africa’s Biggest Street Party, Carnival Calabar to Eco-tourism and ensure that enabling environment is created with opportunities for private, national and international development partners to explore for partnership.
In another development, the Tourism Boss also visited the Director General, National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism, Mr. Nura Sani Kangiwa, where he commended his efforts in establishing Nihotour Campus in Calabar.
Responding, the Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, disclosed that a permanent hostel and classroom would soon be erected to house potential trainees in the facility, a bulk of which will be existing Tourism and Hospitality operators in both private and public sector to boost the development of the industry in the state and country at large.
