NEWS
Duke, Ekuwem Rally Private Investment To Boost Akwa Ibom Tourism Sector
Duke, Ekuwem Rally Private Investment To Boost Akwa Ibom Tourism Sector
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Duke, Ekuwem lead: Former Tourism Minister Edem Duke will deliver the keynote, while Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem will chair the roundtable.
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Private sector mobilisation: NHA and FTAN are bringing key stakeholders together to drive tourism investment, destination branding and stronger public-private partnerships.
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Economic focus: The September 1 engagement will seek practical strategies to attract visitors, investors and major events while creating jobs across the tourism value chain.
August 17, () — The private sector in Akwa Ibom State is intensifying efforts to reposition the state as Nigeria’s leading tourism and hospitality destination, with a high-level tourism roundtable scheduled for September 1 in Uyo.
The NHA/FTAN Tourism Roundtable 2026 is expected to bring together major tourism stakeholders, investors, government officials and industry professionals to develop strategies for converting Akwa Ibom’s tourism potential into increased investment, visitor traffic, job creation and economic growth.
According to a press release made available to our Correspondent on Monday and jointly signed by Obong Daniel Udoh, Chairman, Nigeria Hotels Association (NHA), Akwa Ibom State Chapter; Sir Joseph Umoh, Chairman, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter; and Amb. Usen Udoh, Chairman/CEO, Legacy Tourism Development Services Ltd and Consultant to the programme, the roundtable is being convened by NHA and FTAN in collaboration with key industry stakeholders.
Billed for CEEDAPEG Hotels, Uyo, the event is themed “Repositioning Akwa Ibom State as Nigeria’s Preferred Tourism and Hospitality Destination,” with the tagline, “Unlocking Destination Akwa Ibom.”
Former Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke, is expected to deliver the keynote address, while former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government and former President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, will chair the roundtable.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Antieti Nseowo Udofia, will attend as Special Guest of Honour, while veteran journalist and media strategist, Etim Etim, will moderate the discussions.
Other speakers and panellists include the Governor’s Tourism Strategist and Delivery Adviser, Sir Charles Sebastian Udoh; Professor of Marketing at the University of Calabar, Prof. Bassey B. Esu; historian and academic, Dr Nkereuwem David Edemekong of the University of Uyo; Chairman/CEO of RemLord Tours Ltd and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators, Mr Nkereuwem Onung; and Vice President, FTAN South-South, Mrs Faith Esohe Essien.
The organisers said the initiative would complement the tourism and hospitality investments of Governor Umo Eno’s administration under the ARISE Agenda, while creating a platform for stronger private sector participation in the development of the sector.
They said Akwa Ibom possesses significant tourism assets, including improved infrastructure, rich cultural heritage, cuisine and aviation connectivity, but requires stronger destination branding, coordinated investment and effective public-private partnerships to translate these advantages into measurable economic returns.
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The roundtable will focus on destination branding, tourism investment, hospitality standards, business and events tourism, community participation, youth and women entrepreneurship, and sustainable tourism development.
The organisers said the objective was to move beyond dialogue and establish practical partnerships capable of increasing visitor inflows, boosting tourism spending, attracting major events and investors, and creating employment across the tourism value chain.
Between 150 and 200 participants are expected at the event, including investors, government officials, hoteliers, transport operators, academics, tourism professionals and media practitioners.
The event is sponsored by Ceedapeg Hotels, Blueway Ocean Foundation, Archie Nigeria Limited, Watbridge Hotels and Suites, Madina Hotels & Residences, Albert Suites, among others.
The organisers said the September 1 engagement would provide a working platform to develop an integrated tourism ecosystem and establish mechanisms for tracking implementation beyond the conference room.
