By Kunle Gazali and Ibukun Ademisoro
Exploration or Tourism has always been perceived as fascinating by man. Sightseeing and visiting places of attraction and interest have always been a priority for humans, right from the beginning of time. Tourism, which can be both internationally or domestically, is the process or act of spending time away from home either for leisure or business purposes.
According to the World Tourism Organization, ‘Tourism, more generally, goes beyond the common perception of tourism as being limited to holiday activity only but as people traveling to and staying in a place outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business or other purposes’.
Therefore, Tourism being one of the world’s most rapidly growing industries is a result of man’s unending motivations and desires to tour. The United Nations specialized agency, World Tourism Organization has then commemorated every 27th of September as a day to celebrate tourism and this has been an international observance since 1980.
In addition, this celebration aims to promote tourism in various parts of the world and to create awareness of its importance to the global world and the role it plays in our society. On the day of the Celebration, the World Tourism Organization always makes sure that travel is open and accessible for everyone either disabled, low-income earners, or even the aged.
The impact tourism plays on the private sector is inevitable. The major objective of the private sector is to make profits and through tourism it is made.
However, the private sector being a profitable organization will contribute significantly to the tourism industry. They sponsor special events which help in raising awareness and generating more revenue for the tourism industry. For example, British Airways sponsored the Olympics held in Britain.
Furthermore, not only the private sector is encouraged to involve in the tourism business but also the government is urged to see the need of expanding the tourism business. The government should see tourism as an important driver of jobs and growth by boosting their support for the industry.
Also, the government needs to encourage tourism by building infrastructure and tackling insecurity as this attracts tourists. In other words, an efficient government needs to create the best conditions if they want tourism to thrive in their country since the whole responsibility of promoting tourism relies on the government.
In essence, the government playing its role will lead to the economic growth of the country and this will foster the right conditions for private sectors to thrive which will be beneficial to everyone and the nation at large.
In commemoration of this year’s World Tourism Day and in its efforts to make tourism a growing business, the Oyo State government has joined the United Nations to make the International World Tourism Day an annual event. The event is organized by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism under the supervision of the Commissioner, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun.
The 2022 edition of the programme was tagged ‘Thinking Tourism’. Speaking at the event held Igbeti, Oke-Ogun area part of Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde, who was represented by his Deputy, Bar Bayo Lawal, assured that the Oyo State Government will invest in the tourism sector to attract local and international investors for the purpose of driving the state’s economy.
Governor Makinde disclosed that the present administration is determined to harness all the resources and reposition the state’s tourism sector with its huge potential to improve its revenue base.
“The state government is open to collaboration with investors and relevant stakeholders in fine-tuning plans to harness our potentials. Harnessing the multi-million naira potentials in the state, will be extended to the 168 tourism sites in the state. We will drive world-class tourist sites and urban regeneration work to attract tourists, which will provide gainful means of employment for youth and women”.
“Oyo State Government will rehabilitate the roads leading to Iyamapo hill, which is one of the tourism potentials in Igbeti. This is part of our commitment to tourism in the state. This will also encourage tourists to visit Agbele Hill, Bata Erugba and other places and by doing so, they contribute to the growth of the economy.”
Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, called on investors to consolidate the efforts being made by the state government and other stakeholders to develop the tourism sector.
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