Delta State has scores of attractions that are simply compelling. Fascinating palaces, historic sites, monuments, birthplaces of famous people, traditional festival, crafts centres - name it - are all here.
At the 3rd Joint National Board Meeting of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation held at Abuja in July, 1997, the country was divided into zones for the purpose of tourism development. It was agreed that each zone should concentrate on a selected area of tourism, an area where it was considered to have comparative advantage. Accordingly, it was resolved that Delta State should concentrate on cultural and river tourism. The decision was based on some well-known facts about our state.
In the first place, the cultural wealth and diversity of Delta State is almost proverbial, what with the real, imagined and orchestrated cultural differences within and between Delta South, Central and North. It was thought that, through tourism, this diversity, which many see as a threat, could be turned to good advantage. This is because our cultural diversity has enriched our cultural manifestations such as shrines, folklore, myths, body adornment, traditional music, dances, festivals, monuments and historic sites. As for river tourism, the very name of the state underscores its significance for us.
It is core to the Niger Delta which covers well over 70 sq km and from which it derives its enchanting name. The state is bound on all but one side by water. Within its boundaries are scores of rivers, creeks and lakes. One watercourse that seems to run through it like a unifying ribbon is the River Ethiope. It rises at Umuaja in Ukwuani Local Government Area, flows through six other local government areas and enters the sea after a journey of some 176 kilometers.
At Sapele, it is deep enough to accommodate ocean-going vessels, thereby justifying its billing as Africa's deepest inland water-way - although it is now largely silted over. The Niger estuary, Atlantic seaboard and internal water masses all combine to make the state a biodiversity paradise.
It is home to those myriad species that thrive wherever there is water and boasts of the red mangrove forests of Delta South. In addition, the presence of so much water makes it ideal for water related tourism activities such as water sports, boat cruises and regatta. Gratifyingly, construction of the Ase, Bomadi and Omadino bridges will afford tourists easy assess the riverine areas and make investments in tourism assets in such areas profitable.
4. Furthermore, these same waterways made the state important in the activities of early European traders and missionaries. This aspect of our colonial past has bequeathed to us some significant historical sites and monuments, such as Nana Palace, Koko.
5. Even the petroleum industry has potential for tourism, not minding the havoc it is wreaking on the environment and the consequent threat it poses to ecotourism. From it can be created our own version of smoke stack tourism. Besides, the industry, in spite of the devastation it is causing to our environment, is capable of hastening the emergence of that demographic group which forms the core of tourism markets - namely young educated individuals with disposable income engaged in manufacturing and service sectors of the economy. Thus, ironically, the petroleum producing areas of Delta North, Delta Central and Delta South could become the source of much domestic tourism. Due cognisance also has to be taken of the fact that oil producing axis of the state also spreads into nearby Bayelsa Rivers States.
6. On its part, Asaba, being the capital of the state, offers special opportunities for investment in hospitality establishments, conference centres as well as sporting and entertainment facilities. Its proximity to Onitsha reputed to be one of West Africa's most important commercial centres is another positive factor.
(This section is deeply indebted to Hotel and Tourism Development Potentials in Delta State, being a paper presented by Goodie Ibru Esq. Chairman, Ikeja Hotel Plc and National President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) at a retreat to mark the 2nd Anniversary of the Administration of James Onanefe Ibori, Executive Governor of Delta State at the Conference Hall, Hotel Excel, Refinery Road, Effurun on Saturday, 2nd June, 2001. It: is available on www.deltastate.ciov.nci/retreat - which the Delta State Government website.)
