The tourism sector has been identified as one that helps to safeguard cultural assets and traditions, and contributes to a safer and more secure planet through environmental conservation.
Delta State Governor, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, stated this today in his address at the celebration of the 2023 World Tourism Day with the theme: “Tourism and Green Investment: Investing in People, Planet and Prosperity”, which held at the Maryam Bababgida Leisure Park and Delta Film Village, Anwai, Asaba.
The Governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Prince Johnson Erijo, said the event was a reminder that there needed to be more and better targeted investments for people, the planet and for prosperity.
He stated that the event was also a clarion call to action to the international community, government at all levels, multilateral financial institutions, development partners and private sector investors to unite around a new tourism investment strategy.
Oborevwori said humanity must find new ways to invest in sustainable tourism practices, adopt zero emission strategies through renewable firm’s of energy in order to promote the biodiversity and ecological balance of tourism destinations and the planet.
The Governor said climate change was real hence concerted efforts must be made by government and businesses to save the planet by enacting environmental-friendly policies in harnessing, exploiting and developing the tourism potentials in the society.
He pointed out that the construction of the Leisure Park and Film Village was part of efforts to promote tourism, while contributing to green investment and preserving the environment, adding that his administration’s M.O.R.E agenda contained measures that would mitigate harmful impacts on the environment and advance environmental sustainability.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Darlington Ijeh, said the celebration called for deep introspection as it addressed issues bordering on the sustainability of the tourism sector.
Dr Ijeh stated that the theme of the event highlighted the need for investment in tourism development to take cognizance of the threat of climate change to the environment and evolve ways to keep the trend in check.
The Commissioner blamed some of the climatic leakages disrupting the ecosystem and biodiversity on human factor and urged stakeholders to line up their businesses with acts that would lead to zero emissions and plant trees around their properties to mitigate the effects of climate change.
He noted that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had, through the MORE agenda of his administration, aligned the tourism sector in the state for best practices, describing the present administration as responsive and responsible.
The event featured the presentation of a message from the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), cultural entertainment and a lecture on “Tourism and Green Investment”.
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