Andrew Iro Okungbowa 
The Oyo State government has pledged to transform the State into a choice tourist destination. This is as he commended Taiwo and kehinde Ogunoye of the Twins Tourism initiative for their commitment to promoting tourism in the state and across the country.
Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed this during the recently held Ibadan Travel and Tourism Expo (ITTE) 2024, organsied by Twins Tourism Ibadan, Oyo State capital. Represented at the event by the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, the governor said that his administration has created an enabling environment for tourism to thrive in the State by empowering the hospitality industry to grow as people now visit the cities and towns of the State for tourism related activities.
While the Chairman of the event, former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi, canvassed for the promotion of Nigeria with a view to arousing the interest of people across the world to visit the country.
Delivering his keynote address, titled; Spotlight on Oyo State: Destination Marketing and Branding for Emerging Economies, Prof Wasiu Babalola of Atiba University, Oyo, charged Oyo government to continue to make deliberate and conscious efforts at promoting the state as a destination for tourism. Earlier in their welcome remark, the Oguntoye twins noted that the Ibadan Travel and Tourism Expo was aimed at exposing the un- tapped market in Nigeria, pointing out that Ibadan alone is blessed with a myriad of at- tractions and activities that could make the city a destination for tourists all year round.
Highlights of the expo included panel discussion on Building a Career in the Travel and Tourism Industry, which featured stakeholders such as Karamat Ajala of the Institute for Information, Arts and Cultural Development in Nigeria, Anago Osho of Association of History, Nature and Culture Tour Guides and Dr Olatokunbo Dagunduro of Skal International Ibadan Club. The session was moderated by Mrs Olanike Mustapha of Oyo State Woman in Business and Tourism.
Also, a panel on Media Matters: Telling the Tourism Stories and Maximising Media Exposure was moderated the Oguntoyes, media professionals like Niyi Dahunsi of FRCN Ibadan, Edmund Obilo and Chief Jide Ojo from Abuja on the panel. While the Conservator-General, Nigeria National Park Service, Dr Goni Ibrahim Musa; Director General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr Joseph Onoja, former Head, Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, University of Ibadan, Prof. G.A. Lameed, now of Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria featured in the third panel that was moderated by Dr Adetola Adetuga of the Uni- versity of Ibadan.
