Enugu State's Tourism Board is gearing up for a significant transformation of its tourism sector through strategic partnerships with investors and stakeholders. The newly appointed Executive Chairman of the Board, Dame Rita Mbah, announced this commitment during a press conference held on Tuesday.
Dame Rita Mbah emphasized the enormity of the task at hand, acknowledging that the development of Enugu's tourist sites and resources requires collaboration with both local and international investors. She echoed the administration's commitment to being "investment-driven" under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah.
"We believe that tourism is big business. So, here at the Tourism Board, we are calling on both local and international investors to partner with the State to develop our tourist sites and tourism industry in general," Dame Rita Mbah stated.
To execute this ambitious vision, the Enugu Tourism Board plans to engage various stakeholders in the creative, cultural, and hospitality industries. They aim to collaborate with community leaders, traditional rulers, government agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), as well as organizations in the hotels, retail, and finance sectors.
The primary objective of this partnership drive is to revamp Enugu's tourism by creating a positive destination identity for "DESTINATION Enugu." Digitizing cultural heritage and tourist sites is part of the strategy to enhance their discoverability and accessibility to local and international tourists.
The Tourism Board also intends to work closely with broadcasters and media agencies to promote Enugu State and bring it to the global spotlight. They envision developing a 12-month cultural and tourism calendar, set to commence during the upcoming Christmas season.
In her closing remarks, Dame Rita Mbah expressed gratitude to Governor Peter Mbah for the trust placed in her through her appointment. She highlighted her excitement and deep sense of honor in being called to serve and lead these transformative efforts. She also called for the support of the media and encouraged constructive feedback to help achieve their goals, emphasizing that together, they can make Enugu a destination to be proud of.
