PORT HARCOURT – TOURISM experts and investors have urged Rivers State Government to be intentional about exploiting the state’s tourism potentials estimated at over N4Trillion by pushing its renewed partnerships with the private sector from boardroom to field implementation.

The concern was raised at the Atlantic Hall of the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt where the Rivers State Government through her Ministry of Culture and Tourism gathered stakeholders to mark the World Tourism Day.

Under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers state tourism investments drive which nosedived after the forward looking administration of Rotimi Amaechi has been on a rebound with the state pushing for collaborations with private partners.

Among the evolving partnerships, the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) recently unveiled its link with real estate strategist, My-Ace China, who again bagged Peace Award along with Governor Fubara at this year’s World Tourism Day.

China, also known as Mayor of Housing said on the occasion, “Experts, me inclusive, believe the wealth of Rivers State may be more in the tourism subsector than in her hydrocarbon potentials.

“We are looking at an estimated N4Trillion industry with official sources in recently studies putting the present investment value at N100 billion.

“It is cheering that the state has laid out plans to develop the industry by entering into partnerships with willing organisations and as Mayor of Housing, there was no hesitation is embracing the call for partnership.

“We are therefore advising the state government to lay the plans fast to exploit the begging industry. The biggest asset Rivers State has and its treasure is her people.

“And Governor Fubara has showed that peace is the most important gift he has for the state by resisting all provocations and attempts to stage fights. Tourism is capable of attracting investors to heal the years of anger and friction.”

The Director-General, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), Yibo Koko, told the World Tourism Day audience that a consultant had painstakingly studied the tourist potentials of the state, identifying its true value, height the industry could rise to and key targets drivers.

He touched on low hanging fruits that can be tapped to make Rivers return to past leading role in tourism when the Rivers Cultural Festival was established during era of the late Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.

This concept attracted the attention of then Military President, Gen Yakubu Gowon, who tapped Graham-Douglas as Minister and that gave birth to Festac ’77.

Years later for Rivers state, this boom in tourism development went into lull until the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi administration revived it but it died again afterwards.

Koko, Okrika-born creative art giant said, “The coming of Governor Fubara has rekindled the hunger for cultural revival and the tourism industry. There is strong hope that the famous Tourist Beach in the Town area of the Garden City would soon bounce back and become an international tourist attraction.”

He further said the Port Harcourt zoo would be revamped to attract visitors around the world with animals that are rare to find, saying other business activities that take place in such environment would begin to manifest.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, corroborated that, “Rivers is pragmatic with a peace-loving governor. The governor has considered it priority in ensuring our dear State actively participate in the commemoration of this very significant global event.”

He said this years World Tourism Day with the theme: Tourism and Peace, aligns with a Rivers State that is returning to peace and happiness.

The Port Harcourt celebration of the day featured entertaining displays by the state’s Cultural Troup in dances and songs among other invited performers with reigning Rivers Queen of Peace, 18-year-old Tobechi Elendu also present on the occasion.