Benue sets to boost tourism in state, signs MoU with NIHOTOUR

onnaedo

January 20, 2016 3:53 PM

The move, according to the governor, was informed by the fact that hospitality and tourism formed part of the areas the state has comparative advantage.

___4583896___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___4583896___2016___1___20___16___Benue+MoU+with+NIHOTOUR

In a bid to boost tourism in Benue state, the state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR).

The group is responsible for training hospitality and tourism operators, and the MoU was to guide and facilitate the establishment of a branch of NIHOTOUR in the state.

The event, which held in Benue State House, Abuja, had the Director General, NIHOTOUR, Mrs Chika Balogun, Benue State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Sekav Dzua Iyortyom and Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom in attendance.

Thus, citing of NIHOTOUR in the state was only apt in helping to actualize the dream of Benue as a tourism destination of choice.

He added that with the continuous fall in the price of crude oil coupled with projections of future decline, it was expected that states should take quick actions towards economic stability by exploring areas where they have comparative advantages.

He therefore stressed the need for capacity building in tourism and hospitality, saying that with well-equipped manpower, tourism should be one of the ways out of Nigeria’s economic challenges.

He also assured NIHOTOUR of every necessary assistance to ensure that the project takes off as soon as possible.

On her part, the NIHOTOUR boss described Benue as one of the most hospitable states in Nigeria and said the decision to cite the Institute in the state was motivated by the enthusiasm the government of the state has shown towards tourism development.

onnaedo