Edo moves to transform tourism sector
…targets tourism boom with AI, investment
The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the state’s tourism sector through innovation, technology, strategic partnerships, and sustainable investment.
Governor Monday Okpebholo restated the commitment at the maiden edition of the Edo State Tourism Summit and Exhibition in Benin City, where he was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor.
The governor acknowledged the challenges confronting the tourism sector and assured stakeholders that his administration remains committed to fully implementing the Edo State Tourism Master Plan to unlock the state’s vast tourism potential.
He described tourism as a key driver of economic diversification, stressing the need to leverage emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to showcase Edo’s tourism assets, improve visitors’ experiences, and position the state as a leading tourism destination.
Okpebholo also commended the Edo State Tourism Agency for organising the summit and urged stronger collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, investors, and other stakeholders to accelerate the sector’s growth.
In her keynote address, the Director-General of the Edo State Tourism Agency, Lady Vivian Elabor, described the summit, themed “Edo Tourism: The New Frontier,” as a strategic platform for policymakers, investors, tourism professionals, development partners, and cultural stakeholders to shape a new direction for tourism development in the state.
Elabor highlighted Edo State’s rich cultural heritage, historical monuments, internationally acclaimed arts and crafts, colourful festivals, ecological attractions, and vibrant creative industry as key assets capable of driving a globally competitive tourism economy.
