…rallies stakeholders for tourism growth
….targets tourism boom with AI, investment
The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the State’s Tourism Sector through innovation, technology, strategic partnerships, and sustainable investment.
The commitment was reiterated by the Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, represented the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Musa Ikhilor, during the maiden edition of the Edo State Tourism Summit and Exhibition held in Benin City.
Sen. Okpebholo acknowledged the challenges facing the Tourism Sector and assured stakeholders of his administration’s determination to fully implement the Edo State Tourism Master Plan to unlock the State’s enormous tourism potentials.
He described tourism as a vital frontier for economic diversification, stressing the importance of leveraging emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to promote the State’s tourism assets, enhance visitors’ experiences, and position the State as a leading tourism destination.
The Governor commended the Edo State Tourism Agency for organizing the summit and called for stronger collaborations among ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), development partners, investors, and other stakeholders to accelerate the growth of the Sector.
In her keynote address, the Director-General (DG) of the Edo State Tourism Agency, Lady Vivian Elabor, described the summit, themed “Edo Tourism: The New Frontier,” as a strategic platform for policymakers, investors, tourism professionals, development partners, and cultural stakeholders to chart a new direction for tourism development in the State.
She highlighted the State’s rich cultural heritage, historical monuments, internationally acclaimed arts and crafts, colourful festivals, ecological attractions, and thriving creative industry as critical assets capable of driving a globally competitive tourism economy.
The DG noted that tourism has evolved beyond leisure into a major catalyst for economic transformation, with the capacity to create employment, attract investment, promote cultural exchange, and generate significant revenue.
She emphasized the need for innovation, digital transformation, community participation, and sustainable investment to unlock the full potentials of the Sector, expressing confidence that the ideas, partnerships, and resolutions emerging from the summit would shape the future of tourism in Edo State.
Lady Elabor commended the Governor for his unwavering support for the Tourism Sector and his recognition of its strategic role in the State’s economic diversification agenda.
She reassured investors and development partners of the State Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for tourism and creative economy investments.
Lady Elabor urged stakeholders to remain committed to building an inclusive, sustainable, and innovative tourism industry that will deliver lasting benefits for the people of Edo State.
