Lagos Picks Epe for Domestic Tourism
By Vanessa Obioha
Coming on the heels of the World Tourism Day celebration, where the Executive Chairman, Epe LGA Surah Animashaun organised a colourful event that showcased notable landmarks, culture, trade, art, and lifestyle, with hopes to attract investors and improve their local economy, the Lagos State Ministry for Tourism, Arts and Culture has selected Epe Division as one of six pilots for its community-based tourism (CBT).
Geared towards educating the inhabitants of Epe on the feasibility of domestic tourism, the Ministry hopes to amplify the socio-economic benefits of exploring, developing and harnessing the various untapped resources in the community, such as monumental artefacts and historical sites within the community.
Animashaun received the Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Art & Culture (MTAC), Pharm. (Mrs) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf to Epe, alongside Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Mr Seymour Tunji; the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi and the Director for Research & Development, Mrs Yetunde Simpson among others during the tourism-based sensitization exercise.
The exercise flagged off series of implementations of CBT offices (CBTs) within LGAs and LCDAs in Lagos state.
According to Uzamat, the implementation of the CBT office in Epe will be carried out through proper research coupled with the collaborative input of community leaders, stakeholders and the indigenes to ensure that everyone benefits from the initiative.
Furthermore, she stated that the ministry had plans to put structures in place and train dedicated and resourceful individuals who show interest in being professional tour guides and tourism personnel.
Apart from allowing tourists to connect closely with the locals for a truly authentic travel experience, sustainable domestic tourism ensures that the community at large benefits from the generated revenue by earning income as land managers, entrepreneurs, service and product providers and employees.
