Cross River Set To Receive More Visitors As It Revamps Tour Sites

Cross River Set To Receive More Visitors As It Revamps Tour Sites

Achiane Adams 

Known as "Africa's Warmest Welcome", Cross River State is ready to welcome local and foreign visitors as it has began series of renovation works at various tour sites across the State, following the post pandemic lockdown and EndSars hijacked protest era which resulted in massive destruction of infrastructural facilities in Calabar.

Coupled with the intended float of the State's owned commercial Airline - CallyAir, this revamping exercise once completed, is expected to see a rise in the index of tourists influx and the Internally Generated Revenue of Cross River State.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Development, Mr. Eric Iso Anderson, while on a working visit to the Alok Stone Monoliths and Agbokim Waterfalls sites in Ikom and Etung Local Government Areas, said that "there was need to commence early renovations in preparation for visitors that are expected into the  State in the coming months. 

"Governor Ben Ayade understanding that our cultural and Christmas festivals celebrations will start soon, had directed that these sites be cleaned up. Also, the State is going to play host to different conferences through out the year so we need to be prepared to give a loaded package of our warm hospitality". 

He informed that tactical marketing and promotional media strategies are already on ground to sell these tourism products. 

The Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Enene Eke, said that the progress of work on site is moving at great pace as so much has been achieved, in barely two weeks of commencement of work, adding that Mary Slessor House and Kwa Falls at Odukpani and Akamkpa LGAs respectively are also getting facelifts. 

The members of the inspection team included; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Mr. Jon Atsu, Director of Tourism, MCTD, Mr. Daniel Akeke, Deputy Director, Tourism, MCTD, Mr. Ojoi Ekpenyong, amongst others.

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