Cross River State highlights community-based tourism as key to promoting peace and economic growth, with private sector investment on the rise.
Cross River State’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Hon. Abubakar Ewa, calls for the promotion of community tourism, linking peace and peaceful coexistence as essential for tourism growth in the state.
At the 2024 World Tourism Day celebration held at the Slave History Museum in Calabar, Cross River State’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Hon. Abubakar Ewa, emphasised the importance of **community-based tourism** as a vehicle for peace and sustainable development.
Speaking on the event’s theme, **“Tourism and Peace,”** Ewa highlighted the peaceful nature of the state under Governor Prince Bassey Otu, attributing the rise in tourism-related investments to the Governor’s focus on creating a harmonious environment.
Ewa said, “His Excellency’s mantra of *people first* and *season of sweetness* is not just lip service. We are enjoying peace, and as a result, we are seeing a surge in private sector-driven investments, particularly in the tourism sector.”
He further revealed that the Ministry is focusing on community tourism, ensuring that the areas around the state’s tourist attractions, such as the nearly completed Qua Falls, are secure and welcoming for visitors.
In a keynote address, environmentalist Dr Odiga Odiga presented a paper on **“Ecotourism and Peace as a Tool for Sustainable Development in Cross River State.”**
He noted that Cross River is a **biodiversity hotspot**, boasting over 1,500 plant species, 25 edible mushrooms, diverse forests, mangroves, and animal species, making it a prime location for ecotourism.
Odiga stressed that tourism thrives on peace, urging both the state and federal governments to develop ecotourism strategies and policies. He called for collaboration between Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to implement these strategies effectively.
In his goodwill message, **Mr Charles Ogar**, Chairman of the Hoteliers Association, lauded the event for being meaningful and educational, contrasting it with the extravagant tourism events of the past.
He praised the inclusion of tourism students from various secondary schools, recognising that the future of tourism rests with them.
The event featured a rich display of cultural heritage through traditional dances, class presentations by students from Hope Waddle Training Institution, and a panel discussion involving stakeholders in the tourism industry.
Dignitaries present included Mrs Laurencia Ita, Commissioner for Establishment and Training; Prof. Anim O. Ajake, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Science at the University of Calabar; Hon. Albert Kusi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Hospitality; and several other notable figures from the state’s tourism sector.
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