At the 2025 World Tourism Day celebration held on October 23 at City Cruise Hotel, Owerri,
Engr. Chibuikem Diala delivered a compelling keynote speech titled “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” highlighting tourism’s critical role not merely as leisure but a powerful vehicle for economic growth, community empowerment, and environmental stewardship in Imo State.
Diala opened by acknowledging the unique cultural and natural riches of Imo State, describing it as the Eastern Heartland endowed with rich cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and vibrant communities.
He cited landmarks such as Oguta Lake, the largest natural lake in southeastern Nigeria, the historic Mbari Art, and colorful festivals like Arondizuogu’s masquerade and the New Yam festival in Mbaise, all of which contribute to Imo’s diverse tourism potential.
He emphasized that Imo’s tourism assets span multiple dimensions including nature, heritage, agritourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), and faith tourism.
He stressed that under the theme of sustainable transformation, these elements could drive stronger livelihoods, community resilience, and environmental preservation.
Commending the Imo State Government, Diala highlighted significant infrastructure developments like the renovation of the Concorde Hotel by the Hilton Group, and projects such as the Assumpta Flyover and Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre.
These, he argued, go beyond mere aesthetics to enhance accessibility, safety, and investor confidence critical for tourism growth.
However, Diala pointed out the absence of a comprehensive tourism masterplan in Imo State as a critical challenge.
He urged the government to prioritize creating a masterplan that maps assets, zones, infrastructure, community roles, governance frameworks, and financial flows. Such a roadmap would ensure equitable development across regions while safeguarding cultural and environmental resources.
He defined tourism as an “invisible export,” where every visitor naira spent stays within the local economy, supporting small businesses and job creation.
Unlike volatile sectors like oil, tourism offers a renewable and sustainable economic opportunity rooted in the culture and creativity of the people.
Diala presented a strategic framework centered on four imperatives: Preserve, Empower, Promote, and Secure. Preservation involves conducting baseline environmental and cultural assessments and attracting the right investments.
Empowerment focuses on green jobs and capacity building for local talents, urging improved training institutions and micro-grants for tourism micro-businesses.
Promotion calls for adopting a “Visit Imo” brand with digital engagement and curated experiences, starting with domestic markets like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, while showcasing Imo’s strength in MICE tourism.
He cited statistics indicating that tourism significantly contributes to national GDP and job creation, urging Imo to harness its potential similarly.
Finally, security was underscored as foundational. Diala noted the negative impact of insecurity perceptions on tourism and called for strengthened collaboration among law enforcement, community vigilance, and hospitality security.
He gave the example of Okigwe, which despite security challenges, holds great potential for eco-tourism with its scenic hills and forests.
Concluding his speech, Diala painted a vision of a tourism sector that is inclusive, sustainable, and community-owned.
He called on government officials, private sector players, community leaders, and citizens to unite in turning Imo State into a model of tourism-led sustainable transformation in Nigeria and Africa.
He thanked the Commissioner of Tourism, Barr Jerry Egemba, for his passionate leadership driving the sector’s rebirth.
This World Tourism Day message reinforced the importance of strategic planning and collaboration to unlock Imo State’s vast tourism potential for socio-economic development and environmental sustainability, setting the stage for a prosperous future for both communities and visitors alike.