Ogun state Governor, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, MFR has said that the state is ready to partner with National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), to explore and utilize local destinations in the state as one of his administration’s ways of promoting local tourism in the state.
The Governor, who said this through his Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Honorable Chief Dr. Sesan Fagbayi during a courtesy call made by members of the association at the Governor’s office in Abeokuta on Wednesday, said that there are well over forty tourist destinations in Ogun state apart from Olumo rock in Abeokuta; which is widely known and erroneously believed to be the only tourist attraction centre in the state.
The State Coordinator of NANTA, Prince Adewale The Good Dada, while earlier addressing the Commissioner on the essence of the association’s courtesy call, said that ‘the delegation is a group of dedicated professionals in the travel industry and have come to express their gratitude and also to discuss pivotal matters which concerns the advancement of tourism in Ogun state’, while thanking the state Governor for his unwavering commitment and tireless efforts in promoting and investing in tourism in the state.
“First and foremost, I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun CON, and to you, Honorable Commissioner, for your unwavering commitment and tireless efforts in promoting and investing in the tourism sector of Ogun State. Your vision and dedication to showcasing the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of our state have not gone unnoticed, and we commend the strides taken thus far.”
He said the association was ready to offer their expertise, networks and resources to amplify the state of tourism in the state and to also attract more visitors so as to boost local economy.
“As members of NANTA, we are keen on fostering a collaborative partnership with the state government to further promote Ogun State as a premier tourist destination for travelers both domestically and internationally. By leveraging our expertise, networks, and resources, we believe that together, we can amplify the appeal of our state, attract more visitors, and boost the local economy through tourism.
Moreover, we are prepared and willing to fulfill our obligations by paying our dues to the state government, as a demonstration of our commitment to contributing positively to the development of the tourism sector in Ogun State. We recognize the importance of sustainable partnerships and mutual support in achieving our shared goals.
Prince Wale lamented ‘proliferation of fake travel agents in the state as one of the critical issues combating the profession’.
“Lastly, I wish to highlight the critical issue of combating the proliferation of fake travel agents in our society. The activities of these unscrupulous individuals not only tarnish the reputation of the industry but also pose risks to unsuspecting travelers. We advocate for a joint effort between NANTA and the state government to implement measures that will curb this menace and uphold the integrity of our profession”.
Prince Wale Dada, who is the Coordinator of NANTA in Ogun state and other top echelons of the association were part of the delegation that paid the Governor a courtesy call.
