Discussion on Water, Tourism Inter-connection

With Tourism & Water: Protecting our Common Future as theme, Bayelsa State Government hosted the commemoration this year in Nigeria. The relationship between water and tourism was the highpoint of discussion at this year’s World Tourism Day. The celebration also considered how portable water could be derived from oceans, seas and rivers that occupy greater part of the earth’s space.

The choice of the theme no doubt, influenced the state’s interest in hosting the event as over 70 per cent of its land is occupied by water, yet, there is scarcely enough to drink. In fact, the event held at the bank of Oxbow Lake, where guests were entertained with various water games, including boat regatta and cultural performances.

The choice of the venue was also in line with the United Nations’ decision to celebrate the day in Maldives; a sleepy Caribbean Island that is surrounded by water, yet, it is unable to access portable water. Interestingly, the community has devised means of treating the sea to get fresh water for human consumption.

Aside from the abundance of water in Bayelsa State, which the year’s theme has highlighted as a major boost to tourism, the state is equally endowed with other tourism attractions such as Peace Park, Agge Palm, Twon-Brass, Okpoama, Odioma, Akassa as well as Dieiama Beaches.

Others are museums, monuments and statues including Chief Christopher Iwowari monument at Bassambiri, Ogidigan deity, Oloibiri Oil Museum, Mongo Park Residence, Isaac Adaka Boro Monument at Kaiama, Akassa Light House, Akassa Slave Tunnel, Whiteman’s Grave yard, White man’s grave yard, Twon Brass as well as British Consulate.

For the hospitality facilities, the state government said world class hotels and holidays resorts were being developed, not only to facilitate and augment the growth of the state’s budding tourism sector but also to support business travelers and leisure seekers from within and outside the country.

The State Governor, Seriake Dickson, however, regretted the preponderance of natural resources that abound in parts of the state were not harnessed for the human and economic growth by previous administrations.

Declaring the celebrations open, Dickson said the year’s theme was apt as it geared towards creating awareness on the need for sustainable water chain as well as its accessibility at all times.