Chioma Ezike
The Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) has said it will partner with the Ogun State government to develop the tourism assets of the state to drive tourism traffic.
The association made the pledge when the executives and members of the association paid a courtesy visit to the state’s Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Chief Sesan Abolaji Fagbayi.
The courtesy visit, led by NATOP President Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha, took place during the association’s tour of Ogun State.
The NATOP president said the familiarization trip to the state was part of the efforts by NATOP to know better the tourist sites in each state in Nigeria, be familiar with the products and also be able to market and tell the Nigerian story better.
“We, in the past, have been to states. We told the story of Ekiti, and the state has never remained the same. We have gone to kwara, Plateau, Imo, and different places. This year, we have signed with Ondo State. We are having our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in July, in Ondo State. So, we hope one day, we would bring our AGM to Abeokuta. We are looking forward to that. We want to partner with the government to actually promote the state. We spread all our tentacles, with the members’ connections and platforms. We feel this is the only way we can tell our stories to the people outside the country. That is why we decided to choose Abeokuta,” she said,
“We decided that we would go on a road journey so that we explore everywhere, look at where we can take people to. It is only when we know well about the products that we are pushing out that we can sell it right. If we don’t know where to take people to, how do we sell it to any tourist coming me. So, we decided that we as Nigerians, we need to know well.”Mustapha said.
She added that it was important, for tour operators to know the tourist attractions so that they would be in better position to market them to local and inbound tourists. And that to achieve this, she said the association has to partner with the state governments where these sites are domicile.
Also in a remark the association’s Vice President for South West Mr. James Anago- Osho advised the state government to expand the product offerings of the state and develop more sites apart from Olumo Rock..
”Our members know that there are certain visitors you have, especially international tourists that are interested in cultural tourism. We have it here in Abeokuta. Then, when we talk about Abeokuta, I always want to talk about the founders, the families, and the people who founded Abeokuta. I think this is an opportunity for the government to partner with each of these families and help develop family compounds. Some of them have antiques. They needs to be upgraded. These are stories people want to hear. There are so many things, and today, we would be exploring them.”
In a message, the state Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun said he would be focusing his attention on tourism development in the state, saying NATOP members’ visit was timely as the would be in position to advise the state after their FAM Trip.
And added that the state want to develop other tourist attractions different from Olumo and have so many even within Abeokuta including Yemoji River begging for attention, natural spring water at Imeko, first hospital in Nigeria.”
Among the places NATOP toured were the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Ikija, Adire Mall and other sites.