By Afolabi Osho
The Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) is set to host its 2023 Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Ekiti State, with a view to assisting the state to realize its tourism potential.
Ekiti state will begin a race to help the state achieves its potentials in Tourism. In a matter of weeks to come, the National Association of Top Operators (NATOP) will be holding an extraordinary/Annual General Meeting of its members in Ekiti State from 13th-15th July, 2023. The theme of this year AGM is “the tourism and green Investment in Nigeria’
NATOP is an umbrella for tour operators in Nigeria. It is devoted to developmental issues souc as policies, advocacy, promotion and marketing as well as development of destinations and attraction packaging.
NATOP bids to host the AGM in Ekiti state with a view to driving investments to the State by Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, since Tourism is the 4th goal of his administration.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji has painstakingly taken his goals seriously. Therefore, the coming NATOP AGM is another investment roadshow for Ekiti-state in the Tourism sector.
Earlier on the 8th June, 2023, the NATOP leadership led a delegation to Ekiti state to meet with His Excellency, Governor Biodun Oyebanji at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti.
Those who were part of the delegation to Ekiti state were, NATOP President, Mrs ime Udoh and Vice President, (South West) Otunba Michael Balogun, Erelu Fumni Rotiba, (Oyo-State Coordinator), Ogbeni Babajide Fajuyi, (Ekiti State Coordinator) Miss Wumi Debi (Secretary NATOP) and Michael Peculiar.
The NATOP President, Mrs Ime Udoh explained that the meeting with Governor Biodun Oyebanji centred on hosting the 2023, NATOP AGM in Ekiti. Adding that, it’s a way of promoting Ekiti state as Tourism haven for investment opportunities
NATOP AGM is usually a meeting of the entire tour operators under NATOP across Nigeria. This year’s own will steers new frontline for tourism thrive in Ekiti state.
Moreover, for Ekiti state to create enabling environment for Tourism business. one cannot but give credit to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who told NATOP delegation that Ekiti is about to establish the new Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, where Tourism department will be moved out of the Ministry of Art, Culture and Tourism. The Governor stated.
‘I have understudied the states that have a dedicated Bureau of Tourism development and sent the framework to Ekiti state Ministry of justice for adoption and implementation for the state’
There is huge Tourism potentials in Ekiti-State with over 70 attractions and Ikogosi Warm spring Resort has come back to be flagship of tourism destination
According to NATOP National President, “our meeting in Ekiti State, is also an avenue to showcase the state tourism potentials and also promote domestic tourism as a whole in Nigeria.
“Ekiti State is ripe for Ecotourism, wellness and active tourism not forgetting the cultural heritage’
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