The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting investors in the hospitality industry, promising to intensify efforts to create an enabling environment for the growth and development of tourism and hospitality businesses across the state.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, gave the assurance when he received the management team of Metro Tulip Apartment Hotel & Suites, Akobo, Ibadan, during a courtesy visit to the ministry.
Olatubosun said the growing interest of investors in Oyo State’s hospitality sector was an indication that the tourism policies and initiatives of the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde were yielding positive results.
He noted that the government’s tourism development strategy was anchored on strong partnerships with stakeholders, stressing that teamwork, passion and commitment remained essential to unlocking the sector’s potential.
According to him, the state government would continue to provide support through improved infrastructure, security and other measures necessary for sustainable tourism development.
The commissioner also urged Metro Tulip Apartment Hotel & Suites to develop programmes in collaboration with the ministry, particularly around major cultural and tourism events such as the World Egungun Festival, World Tourism Day, Sango Festival and Isese Day celebrations.
He encouraged other investors in the hospitality industry to take advantage of the opportunities available in Oyo State.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, commended the Metro Tulip team for its interest in contributing to the state’s hospitality sector and urged the management to submit proposals that could support the growth of both the hotel and the wider industry.
Also speaking, the General Manager of the Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Adekunle Agboola, welcomed the hotel’s proposal to establish a cultural corridor for showcasing monuments and tourism sites.
He advised the management to collaborate with the council’s Visual Arts Department to complement the initiative with artworks depicting Oyo State’s cultural heritage and tourism attractions.
Earlier, the General Manager of Metro Tulip Apartment Hotel & Suites, Mr. Clifford Ndubuisi, commended the state government’s efforts to position Oyo as a leading tourism destination in Nigeria.
Ndubuisi cited the International Tourism Summit and the global recognition of the World Sango Festival as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as some of the achievements recorded by the state in promoting tourism.
He said the expansion of tourism activities across Oyo State was creating opportunities for the hospitality industry, noting that visitors to attractions such as Idere Hills, Iyake Suspended Lake in Ado-Awaye and the World Egungun Festival would require quality accommodation and hospitality services.
Ndubuisi said the hotel’s visit was aimed at transitioning from being a passive observer to an active partner in the state’s tourism development agenda.
He disclosed that Metro Tulip was prepared to align its operations with the ministry’s tourism calendar and proposed initiatives including a cultural information hub within the hotel, curated heritage tour packages and partnerships around major festivals.
He also called for collaboration on the proper structuring, registration and standardisation of the hospitality sector and pledged the hotel’s support for the actualisation of the state government’s tourism objectives.
The Metro Tulip management expressed appreciation to the commissioner for his open-door policy and commitment to the development of culture and tourism in Oyo State, expressing optimism that the partnership would boost visitor traffic, promote the state’s cultural heritage and strengthen its hospitality and tourism economy.
