The Oyo State Government has assured investors in the hospitality business of its continued support, saying efforts would be intensified to create a conducive environment for the growth and development of the sector.
The Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, stated this when he received the management team from Metro Tulip Apartment Hotel & Suites, Akobo, Ibadan, during an official courtesy visit to the Ministry.
Olatubosun expressed delight at the hotel’s willingness to partner with the Oyo State Government in promoting the state’s tourism potential, saying the growing interest of investors indicated that the policies and initiatives of the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde in culture and tourism were yielding positive results.
He noted that tourism development in the state was being driven by strong partnerships with stakeholders, with team work, passion and commitment, stressing that the government was committed to creating an enabling environment where tourism and hospitality businesses could thrive.
The Commissioner assured investors of government support through improved infrastructure, security and other measures critical to sustainable tourism development. He also called on Metro Tulip Apartment Hotel & Suites to develop programmes that could be implemented in partnership with the Ministry, particularly during major events such as the World Egungun Festival, World Tourism Day, the Sango Festival and Isese Day celebrations.
He assured the team of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the hotel and encouraged other hospitality investors to take advantage of the opportunities available in Oyo State.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, commended the hospitality culture displayed by the Metro Tulip team and encouraged the management to continue investing in the sector. He urged them to present their proposals to government, particularly those capable of contributing to the growth of the hotel and the wider hospitality industry.
The General Manager, Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Adekunle Agboola, also applauded the hotel’s initiative to establish a cultural corridor where monuments and tourism sites could be showcased. He advised the management to engage the Visual Arts Department of the Council to complement the initiative with artworks depicting Oyo State’s rich cultural heritage and tourism attractions.
Earlier, the General Manager of Metro Tulip Apartment Hotel & Suites, Mr. Clifford Ndubuisi, commended the Ministry’s leadership and Governor Seyi Makinde’s efforts to position Oyo State as a major tourism destination in Nigeria.
Ndubuisi acknowledged the Ministry’s achievements, including the hosting of the International Tourism Summit and the global recognition of the World Sango Festival as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. He noted that the growth of tourism across the state was creating opportunities for the hospitality industry, particularly as visitors to attractions such as Idere Hills, Iyake Suspended Lake in Ado-Awaye and the World Egungun Festival require quality and comfortable accommodation.
He said the hotel’s visit was aimed at moving from being a passive observer to an active partner in the state’s tourism development, adding that Metro Tulip was ready to align its operations with the Ministry’s tourism calendar and agenda.
Ndubuisi proposed collaborations including a cultural information hub within the hotel, curated heritage tour packages, partnerships around major festivals, and support for the proper structuring, registration and standardisation of the hospitality sector. He also pledged the hotel’s support towards the actualisation of the state government’s tourism objectives.
The Metro Tulip team expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for his open-door policy and commitment to the cultural and tourism development of Oyo State, expressing confidence that the partnership would increase visitor traffic, promote the state’s cultural heritage and strengthen its hospitality and tourism economy.