Akwa Ibom hosts its first boat regatta and fishing festival on World Tourism Day, celebrating culture, heritage, and peace with maritime displays.

The Akwa Ibom State Government will host its first boat regatta and fishing festival to celebrate World Tourism Day 2024.

The event will promote tourism, culture, and peace, and feature the unveiling of a restored slave boat and a new Slave Memorial Park.

Also read: Akwa Ibom to host inaugural boat regatta and fishing festival

The festival will also showcase the state’s maritime heritage, include cultural displays, and introduce a luxury ferry service to boost tourism.

The Akwa Ibom State Government is set to host its first-ever boat regatta and fishing festival on 27th September 2024, in celebration of World Tourism Day.

The event will be held at Marina Beach and align with the 2024 World Tourism Day theme, “Tourism and Peace”.

It aims to highlight the peaceful nature of the local communities and promote tourism as a tool for sustainable development.

State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Charles Udoh, revealed that the “Ibom Boat Regatta and Fishing Festival” will showcase the state’s maritime heritage, featuring cultural displays, tug-of-war contests, and fishing competitions.

A fully restored slave boat will also be unveiled, symbolising a significant chapter in the region’s history as a major transatlantic slave trade route. The restoration was funded by the Ibom National Association of Akwa Ibom USA Incorporated.

Additionally, the festival will mark the official commissioning of the Slave Memorial Park, initiated by a local philanthropist.

These projects reflect the state’s broader vision to harness Akwa Ibom’s rich historical and cultural assets. Udoh emphasised the government’s commitment to transforming these assets into major economic drivers under Governor Umo Eno’s administration.

The state government has partnered with the Nigerian Navy to ensure security during the event, with the acquisition of 14 gunboats.

To further boost tourism, a luxury ferry service will be introduced, enhancing marine transport and providing an all-inclusive experience for visitors.

In a move to solidify Akwa Ibom’s position as a tourism hub, efforts are underway to restore key historical sites and develop a world-class tourist centre featuring a nine-hole golf course, artificial lake, luxury chalets, and sports facilities.

The state will also unveil its official tourism website, “discoverakwaibom.com”, on World Tourism Day, facilitating trend analysis and future planning.