By Rita Oduah
THE Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Prof. Epiphany Azinge, has embarked on a guided tour of key tourist attractions in Asaba, Delta State, as part of renewed efforts to harness the city’s tourism potential.
The tour, which took place recently, covered major sites including the Film Village Studio, Administrative Building and Amphitheatre, Hostel, Indigenous Cultural Centre, Zoo, Lander Brothers Anchorage, Asaba Sports Club, and the Marine Jetty at Cable Point.
Commending the Delta State Government for establishing such facilities, HRM Obi Azinge noted that they could serve as a catalyst for tourism growth in the state capital. He stressed the need for active community participation in tourism promotion and highlighted the prospects of developing waterfront beaches and other attractions to boost visitor numbers.
The monarch also extended an invitation to filmmakers across Nigeria to take advantage of the Film Village’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment for high-quality productions, expressing his vision to position Asaba as a premier global tourist destination.
Speaking during the tour, the concessionaire of the Mariam Babangida Leisure Park, Barr. Bali Oladipo, underscored the importance of strategic branding to elevate Asaba’s profile in the tourism sector. “We have to create awareness from where we are now to where we want to be, to brand Asaba very well,” he said.
Mrs. Josephine Ogbolu, General Manager of the Delta State Tourism Board and member of the Asaba Tourism Committee, outlined some of the challenges affecting tourism in the capital and suggested measures to transform the city into a vibrant tourist hub.
The visit marks a significant step towards unlocking Asaba’s tourism potential, reflecting the collaborative drive between the traditional institution, government, and private stakeholders to promote economic growth through tourism.
