By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
In his effort to revive the dwindling tourism, entertainment and hospitality industry in Cross River State, the Director-General, DG, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Chief Folorunsho Coker, has commissioned an ultra-modern food court, worth millions of naira to boost development of tourism in the state.
At the unveiling of food court, which took place on Tuesday night at the shoreline of Marina Resort Calabar, the NTDC DG, who spoke on the theme, ‘Tour Nigeria, Teriffic Tuesday,’ at Marina Food, Fashion Exhibition, stated that the food court would help in providing opportunity for tourists, who make a visit to the state for leisure have a variety of cuisines ranging from local dishes – Efik delicacies – to continental cuisines to meet thier needs.
He said, “When I visited the state with the Minister of State for Power, Prince Godwin JD Agba, I had the opportunity to visit the resort, and I quietly observed certain things that a little change could make things better for people doing little business in the area.”
The NTDC boss averred that with the establishment of the food court, value would be added to the small and medium scale businesses operating in the resort.
He said that the corporation struck a deal for collaboration with Cross River State government on how to change the lives of the enterpreneurs doing business at the resort.
Folorunsho stressed that the food court signifies a new beginning in the development of tourism, entertainment and hospitality industry, adding that when the facility becomes fully operational, it would become a money spinner to all the business operators at the resort.
He urged operators of small scale businesses operating at the resort to remain focused, and dedicated to hard work if they are interested in breaking even, adding that it is only through hardwork and dedication to business that enterpreneurs would achieved turnaround in their fortunes as is the case with Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
He said that if there was any business with potentials to drive incomes into households, it is the food court which can impact on economies of households.
The DG stated that plans are underway by management of NTDC to support small and medium scale enterprises with grants and ideas that can help transform their businesses into mega ones, calling on business operators in the resort not to under rate their little beginnings, but instead grow, and seek opportunity to make their businesses to grow.
He added, “When we are doing tourism, we should take time and do it properly.
“We could support some of the businesses that are here with grants and ideas for them grow and move on.
“Calabar cannot fail in tourism, entertainment and hospitality industry.
“It’s up to you to organise yourself if you want to be supported. If you don’t grow it, how would we come to join you?
“Calabar have always had a reputation first of all, for a good food.
“We are ready to drive incomes into households and businesses.”
Also speaking, the Managing Director, MD, Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Utsu John Utsu, stated that Cross River State, remained topmost in Nigeria tourism destination, adding that the food court commissioned by NTDC would go a long way to help the tourism space, raising the standards, efficiency and improvement of local businesses.
