Commissioning the institute along Elebele/AIT road in Yenagoa, yesterday, Governor Seriake Dickson said the completion of the centre showed government’s determination to develop the tourism industry as part of efforts towards the diversification of the state’s economy and create job opportunities for Bayelsans to enable them contribute their quota to the economy.
The Governor called on all regulatory agencies and other stakeholders in the tourism sector to collaborate with the management of the Institute to actualize the goals for which it was established.
The governor enjoined Bayelsans, particularly the youths to take advantage of the opportunities provided by his administration through various institutions set up to build their capacities and advance their careers.
Also speaking, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, commended the state government for being in the vanguard of advocating the development of the culture and tourism sector in preparation for an economy beyond oil and gas.
The Rector of the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Professor Prince Efere, said the institute when operational, would be self-funding as it planned to generate revenue for the state.
He expressed the institute’s intention to attract foreign students as well as other Europeans, whom he said had shown interest in contributing to the development of the institution.