Director, Lambofa African Bar and Resort, Mr Desi Augustine, and the Bayelsa State chapter of the Travel Writers Corps, have emphasized the need for partnership towards achieving professionalism in the tourism sector of the state’s economy.
The duo expressed their desire for the partnership Sunday during a tour of the state’s Travel writers’ corps of the Lambofa African Bar and Resort in the state capital, Yenagoa.
Speaking to members of the corps, director of the facility, Mr Desi Augustine, expressed commitment towards making it a tourists’ delight, adding that the establishment of the facility in the heart of the state capital was borne out of the genuine intention to have a uniquely African resort in the state.
He noted that at its inauguration, the facility only had a car wash, adding that over time it was expanded to include ponds for aquatic reserve, a collection of other creatures and a section for indoor African games.
Augustine stated that the facility was exceptional, noting that it was the first of its kind in Ijaw land.
He pledged his desire to partner the travel writers corps, adding that with proper plans the state may soon be reaping the dividends of tourism like its counterparts across the nation
“I’ve travelled to so many parts of this country and I found out that whereas others have recreational and leisure facilities that put their cultural values into consideration, here we do not have any.
“So upon coming back from one of such trips, we started putting things together, and so today we’ve this resort considering basically African hospitality, cuisines.
“Though, we’ve a master plan for this resort, what you’re seeing here is just a part of a big plan. We aren’t done with it yet,” he noted.
Also speaking, chairman of the Travel writers’ corps, Mr Piriye Kiyaramo, as well as that of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Bayelsa State council, Mr Samuel Numonengi, commended the management of the resort for their foresight.
They called on management to up their game, saying that with the presence of the maiden aquatic resort in the state capital, there were signs that the people now have an idea of the missing link between home and the city life.
The duo charged the Lambofa resort to engage the services of professionals so as to make their services outstanding, adding that the hallmark of a good tourist facility was the repeat visits made by tourists to such places.