PH Mundial – Port Harcourt Online Newspaper News Across The Region
Related Articles
General Manager of Yenagoa-based Peoples’ 93.1 FM, Mr Lawson Hayford, has commended the Bayelsa State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), for inaugurating the Travel Writers’ Corps to give special attention to the travel and tourism sector of the state’s economy.
Mr Hayford who made the remark when he received members of the Travel Writers’ Corps, led by its chairman, Mr Piriye Kiyaramo, in his office in Yenagoa on Friday stressed the importance of tourism to the economy of the state, adding that the station is willing to support the body in the area of publicity.
He said tourism development and promotion come with many social benefits, along with positive social impacts, including preserving local culture and heritage; strengthening community ties; provision of social services; commercialisation of culture and art; revitalisation of customs and art forms and the preservation of heritage.
The veteran journalist said tourism development can provide jobs and improve the wealth of an area, pointing out that many developing countries are now keen to develop their tourism potentials to increase their internally generated revenue and improve quality of life for their people.
The general manager urged members of Travel Writers’ Corps to be professional and committed to their beat to ensure that the abundant tourism potentials of Bayelsa State are promoted in such a way that tourists would be attracted to the state, even as he cautioned against sentiments in their reportage.
In his remark, chairman of Bayelsa State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Samuel Numonengi, explained that the council thought it very expedient to set up the travel writers’ corps to compliment government’s tourism development efforts, adding that what the tourism sector could bring in terms of job creation, employment and wealth creation was huge.
He commended Governor Douye Diri for transforming public spaces to beautify the capital city and environs within the short period in office, adding that the travel media will collaborate with relevant authorities, including corporate bodies, institutions, non-governmental organisations and well meaning individuals to promote the tourism sector in the state.
Earlier, chairman of Travel Writers’ Corps of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Piriye Kiyaramo, told the general manager that as travel journalists, they travel round the state with intention of telling stories and offering greater insight about locations in a manner that goes beyond just review of hotels, festivals, or museum, adding that travel journalism is distinguished by its reflective look at tourist sites within the framework of cultural significance.
Mr Kiyaramo, popularly known as Mr Tourism, noted that the tourism industry is important because of the benefits it offers to local people, being a commercial activity that creates demand and growth for many more industries, contributing towards more economic activities and generating more employment and revenues, while playing a significant role in stimulating infrastructural development.
“Tourism is vital for the success of many economies around the world. There are several benefits of tourism on host destinations.
“The number of jobs created by tourism in different areas is significant. These jobs are not only a part of the tourism sector but also affect the agricultural sector, communication sector, health sector, and the educational sector.
“Many tourists travel to experience the hosting destination’s culture, different traditions, and gastronomy. This is very profitable to local restaurants, shopping centers, and stores,” he said.
In her vote of thanks, Police Public Relations Officer of Police Division Zone 16, CSP Iwo Lafieghe, thanked the general manager for showing keen interest in the travel writers’ corps.
