NIGERIAN Association of Tour Operators, (NATOP), has commended the Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko for his agrarian determination at making the state the most enviable and attractive tourists destination in Nigeria.
This was the collective remark of NATOP members after a two-day tour of Ondo State in line with its charter of certification and authentication of destinations in Nigeria for promotion and marketing to tourism buffs.
The familiarisation trip, which was facilitated by Ondo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism enabled NATOP members to see Akure at night which they described as mind blowing and fascinating, made the group’s mrmbers to liken the ultra-modern Motor Park on Ondo road, to a departure hall of an airport, the mega schools which they said have no replicate in structure, design, infrastructure and instructional facilities anywhere in Nigeria and Africa, as well car market and mechanic village, which they termed as instructively innovative. NATOP members were stunned at the Mother and Child Hospital where the cost of a Caesarean operation is N500 only which they described as unbelievable but real, they were equally overwhelmed by what they saw at the Medical Tourism Village, Ondo which they described as the first and best while the Dome– a-7500-capacity Conference and Convention Centre which is billed for inauguration in October fascinated them.
The tourism zone being created by Governor Mimiko from Alade Idanre junction with the establishment of Habitat 1, an arena newly created to serve as first port of village setting for tourists going to explore Idanre Hill beat the imagination of the tour operators who had to disembark, toured Habitat1 to listen to on what was and will be on ground.
According to the tour guide, “The government is packaging Idanre Hill as a destination rather than for fascination. From Alade junction to Idanre Hill which is only 20-kilometres away will harbour two more habitats where tourists can relax on the way to the hill, visit an agricultural site where Cocoa is being harvested and the local oil mill.
In order to make the trip exciting, lively and eventful “The visiting NATOP members saw a well tended, all green and vibrant, Idanre Golf Course 18-hole affair which offered them the opportunity of taking memorable shots with the conglomeration of hills serving as backgrounds as Ime Udo, Leadway Tours and Travel said “this government of the day is a thinker. This golf course, Habitat I will encourage more traffic to the Idanre Hill and vice versa. The tour guide assured “next time you are here, you will be dazed by the facilities and infrastructure which would have been planted on the ridge at the middle of the course.”
The Iroko Mountain Resorts and Recreation Centre newly created at the foot of Idanre Hill dazzled the imagination imagination of what they hitherto expected as Efetobo Awhana, Avant Garde Tours, Lagos enthused, “I am in love with this Iroko Mountain Resorts and Recreation centre.
“It is very thoughtful of the government putting this in place. It will serve a lot of purposes for those who climb the hill, those who cannot climb and those who want to spend days at the foot of the hill sleeping in tents and hammocks and consummating the freshness of nature.”
Mr Jemi Alade one of the founding fathers of NATOP who led the team said, “I have been packaging tours to Ondo State for some years now, but with my coming today, I am seeing a new Ondo, a new Idanre and it is awesome, we have a fascinating experience in Ondo State. We observed that the state is blessed with virtually all the potential components of tourism and with the structure and facilities that have been put in place by the state government, we have no doubt that Ondo State is the next tourism destination in Nigeria.”
Alade pointed out, “I marvelled at what I saw as an experienced tour operator, the mega schools concept is unique, the Abiye Hospital, the modern market structure and other facilities put in place are fantastic and most importantly the Medical Tourism Village in Ondo town. The facilities are the best in the country, most of what people look for in China and India or any of the so called developed countries are there.
“I want to assure you from now on that we will start marketing it to the rest of the world.”
Victor Enwezor, Leisure Afrique submitted that Governor Mimiko is putting the state on a speed length by trying to replicate what he has done in other sectors in tourism as, this will give the sector a facelift and make Ondo State best destinations for both local and foreign tourists.”
While commending the governor for the resuscitation of the golf course and the Iroko Mountain Resort, the medical tourism in Ondo and particularly the Dome, Mr Enwezor called on investors to visit Ondo State and seize the hotel investment opportunities begging for take.
“There are a lot of investment opportunities waiting to be tapped in Ondo State. Governor Mimiko has made the state investors’ haven by opening up the tourism sector. By the time the Dome is inaugurated, there will be the need for more hotels and other ancillary industries to service the traffic of the Dome.”
The Special Adviser to the governor on Culture and Tourism, Dr Wanle Akinboboye while addressing the team at a Gala night held at Adegbemile Hall. “The Ondo State Cultural Troupe put up a fantastic performance as it thrilled the tourists with a spectacular display of sheer mastery of the mystery of Bata by Ololo and the Ukuwe. The duo, from Atunda Entertainment, said that the government is putting up a befitting and sustainable tourism sector as a legacy that will endure and the need to network and engage stakeholders especially NATOP and others as partners in progress for the giant strides with maximum benefits.
Summarising the two-day tour, Enwezor said, “With what I have seen and the determination of Governor Mimiko at opening up the tourism potentialities of the state, the catch, Tourism,the Sunshine of the Sunshine State is real.
“Ondo is certainly warming up to be the best tourism destination in Nigeria.”
