CALABAR—Cross River State has been confirmed the best tourism state in Nigeria and has been honoured with an award from Africa Travel Quarterly, publishers of ATQ, organisers of Africa Travel Awards and AKWAABA Africa Travel Market.

The award, which was keenly contested, was received on behalf of the state by the wife of the state Governor, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke, in Lagos at an event chaired by Sir Dawda Jawara, the former President of the Gambia, during the sixth AKWAABA Africa Travel market.

According to a statement by Mr. Ikechi Uko, Publisher of ATQ, the award was the outcome of consultation with the leading travel and tourism operators in Nigeria, including Commissioners of Tourism from other states.

Uko explained that, “based on the result of questionnaires served, the Board of ATQ magazine nominates you for the award “Tourism State of the Year.”

He disclosed that ATQ seeks to honour the pioneers, and leaders of the industry as a way of recognising their efforts and contribution to the growth of an emerging travel industry in the region.

Imoke, it will be recalled  had received several awards in tourism, good governance and community development, the most recent being the International Award for Good Governance, given to him by the American Nigerian International Chamber of Commerce, ANICC, in Atlanta Georgia, USA.