“We never had it taken this serious before now”
#AbiaOnline
In simple language, tourism entails traveling to a preferred destination of interest in other to explore the recreational, health, education etc., facilities or endowment of the host country. Tourists usually travel from their country of domicile to another or travel within their country to appealing tourist destinations, especially during holidays for varied purposes of interest. Globally, the tourism indust has grown considerably, with some countries having more than 80% of their earnings accruals from tourism, a typical example is Austria in Eastern Europe. Apart from the economic sense, tourism engenders peace and cohesion amongst people of different class and creed.
The many benefits derivable from a developed and viable tourism sector is enormous and as such should be given the needed attention by any responsive government such as Abia’s – most importantly in this trying period when there is continuous down-slide in the price of crude oil in the international market affecting, badly, our gross earnings as a nation, of which the constituent states in the federation is not immune to.
But sadly, little has been heard about the tourism sector in Abia before the advent of the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration. Past administrations did not find it expedient to give tourism the necessary boost, who knows, maybe because the petrodollars were overflowing.
Presently, decisive steps have been taken to get the sector out of the woods, including the ongoing fixing of the myriad of infrastructural challenges in Abia State – understandably, there’s a correlation between the aesthetic beauty of the State and the tourist appeal. Hence the massive investments in roads, flyovers and other social amenities by Ikpeazu’s administration is a step in the right direction in fast tracking the growth of the Abia tourism sector.
In addition, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has established the Abia State Tourism and Services Development Board (ATSDB), with Barr. Ngozi Nwangwa as it’s pioneer chairman to exploit, develop and breath life into the tourism sector of Abia State. Using all parameters, Abia state is highly endowed and blessed by ‘Mother Nature’ with tourism potentials which invariably is tourist delights. All the three senatorial districts of the State boasts of fascinating sites and nature’s gift to God’s Own State.
Apart from that, Abia has cultural festivals that attracts visitors from far and near, the only thing is to do the needful in repackaging and promoting those festivities to garner the much attention and splendour which, invariably, will spur growth of the State’s economy.
Festivals that can place God’s Own State in the international tourism map includes; Iriji Ohuu, Ekpe, Ikeji Aro, Igboto Nma, Ohafia war Dance, and the rest.
There are also captivating locations in our dear State that equally makes us the beautiful bride and a one stop destination for tourists and holidaying like the incredible Azumini Blue River, the Ngodo cave, the War museum Umuahia, astonishing long juju of Arochukwu, etc.
Apart from interesting sites and unique festivals, Abians are hospitable and resilient people with proven entrepreneurial and commercial prowess, their ingenious capabilities is second to none.
Factually, the Aba shoe market, attracts buyers from many African countries who throng the Bakassi section of Ariaria International Market for Aba made footwear. It is on this note that many visitors come to Abia for the purpose of patronising our indigenous products.
Truly, Abia State has unimaginable tourism potentials that are yet untapped, even our posh green vegetation, and undulating valleys in Abia North senatorial district, our expansive palm plantations that dot the width and breadth of Abia State are great alluring beauty to behold.
The die is cast, the indefatigable Governor of Abia is bent on diversifying the State’s economy and a stabilized, developed tourism sector is key to achieving that noble goal.
UNU
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