… meets Governor Aiyedatiwa on tourism promotion

By Jimoh Babatunde

The Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) has promised to work with the government in promoting the country as a tourism destination.

The association gave the indication as it prepares to host its Annual General Meeting in Ondo State in July.

Speaking with members of the Association of Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) in Lagos during the week, Hajia Bolaji Mustapha, the President of NATOP, disclosed that they had a fruitful discussion with the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa , on promoting the state.

She said the visit was also a familiarisation trip to the state as 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.

The NATOP president said the familiarisation 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, Ogun and different places. This year, we have signed with Ondo State. We are having our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in July, in Ondo State.”

We are looking forward to partnering with other stakeholders in Ondo State, like the La Campagne Tropicana Resort in Ondo town.

“The La Campagne Tropicana Forest, Caves and Hills Resort, is such a captivating haven nestled in the heart of nature at Ita Nla, Ondo Town.”

She disclosed that there are many tourist attractions in Ondo State that need to be marketed.
She said there are sites like the Idanre Hills, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Idanre Hills boast breathtaking landscapes, ancient settlements, and mysterious “unreadable letters” carved into the rocks.

“It’s a popular spot for hiking and exploring the hills’ unique features.”

Another site in the state, according to Mustapha, is the Araromi White Sand Beach.

“It’s a pristine beach with calm waters and appealing nature, perfect for relaxation and beach activities.”
Mustapha disclosed that before they visited Ondo State, they had also gone to Akwa Ibom and Ogun states.

Why advocating promotion of domestic tourism, Mustapha said, as tour operators, they have taken the bull by the horns travelling by roads, rail and air .

“We decided that we would go on a road journey so that we could explore everywhere and look at where we could take people to. It is only when we know well about the products that we are pushing out that we can sell them right. If we don’t know where to take people to, how do we sell it to any tourist coming? So, we decided that we, as Nigerians, need to know the country well.”

Mustapha said it was important, as tour operators, to know the tourist attractions so that they would be in a 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 domiciled.