The chairman of the Steering Committee of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) Abia State chapter and former General Manager, Abia State Tourism Board, Mrs. Onyekachi Atuloma-Loveday has described the Abia Hospitality Business Conference and Award slated for Friday, October 4 in Aba, as a programme designed to promote the state’s tourism and hospitality industry and beam a searchlight on the sector.

In a press release from her office, she said Abia  State is well-endowed with tourism assets that could make it a leading destination in the South-East of Nigeria but unfortunately, it has not gotten the desired attention, and that is what the conference intends to correct.  

Mrs. Atuloma-Loveday said: “The conference will promote tourism development and enhance growth of the sector in the state by showcasing the potentials, attractions, and also our cultural heritage. It will also bring together national and international speakers, professionals, stakeholders, and decision makers in the industry to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in the hospitality sector in Abia State.”  She continued, “It will further foster collaboration and networking among tourism stakeholders, including government agencies, tourism boards, businesses, and individuals from within and outside the state to drive tourism growth.

“We will also be recognizing and honouring individuals and organisations with outstanding contributions and achievements in the tourism and hospitality industry in the state  with awards.”

Atuloma-Loveday explained that the state has a lot to offer in Nigeria’s tourism landscape, with a mix of natural attractions, cultural heritage, and historical sites: “We should be packaging and promoting attractions like the Azumini Blue River, which is known for its crystal-clear waters and scenic beauty.

“We also have rich and colourful cultural events such as the  Iwaji festival, Aro ikeji festivals, Ekpe festivals, Eketenshi Bende festival, Ulaoso Uzuakoli festival, and lots more.

“There are also historical sites that capture Nigeria’s recent history such as the National War Museum, which showcases old war ammunitions  used in Nigeria’s civil war, and the Ojukwu Bunker, which was the underground home of the Biafran leader, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu during the Nigerian Civil War which ended in 1970.

“Heritage sites like the Arochukwu Long Juju shrine used during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the Amakanma Cave and the Omunkwu Temple in Ohafia are some of the heritage sites we intend to showcase and market to the world.   The state is also home to the National Museum of Colonial History, which provides insights into Nigeria’s colonial past.

“We intend to draw the attention of the state government to the fact that the state to invest and also create an enabling environment for tourism to thrive.

“The state government should invest in developing its tourist infrastructure through creating the enabling environment for accommodation facilities and other leisure and business tourism infrastructures. It also needs to pay closer greater attention to develop eco-tourism potential, particularly in some of the swamp forests and the Cross-Niger transition forests in some parts of the state. “