Osun State Government has called on tourists visiting its various tourist sites in the state not to engage in acts that could desecrate the sites.
The government urged the visitors to pay for services they enjoy whenever they are on a visit to the sites to enable it to further improve the facilities available there, and generate revenue for the state.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Abiodun Ojo, while unveiling activities for the maiden week-long Osun extravaganza and mega expo in Oshogbo, the state capital.
While inviting tourism operators, hospitality brands, travel agencies, cultural institutions, tech innovators, and creatives from across the continent to the expo, Ojo stated that events such as drawing, painting, dance and fashion competition, debate competition, cycling tourism challenge, historical tour of the state, corporate business presentations and cuisines training among others, would hold during the cultural fair.
He further explained that the events were carefully arranged to meet the expectations of various participants, adding that many of those who may attend the events are also expected to witness the grand finale of the annual Osun-Osogbo cultural festival.
The commissioner, who also said the Adeleke administration was paying good attention to upgrading many tourist sites in the state, noted that the gesture should be appreciated by the visitors to the site by paying for the services they enjoy during the visit.
“We are doing our best. If you go to our tourist sites across the state, we are making progress.
“I know people are coming from Lagos and other places to enjoy our hospitality in Osun.
“That is why we are working hard to provide for basic needs in all these sites.
“But please, encourage us too. Encourage the government to do more, and you will do that by paying for the services you enjoy at our sites. You go there, please pay.
“When you go there, don’t desecrate the sites. Don’t go and do things that are not hygienic there.
“It is our collective project and responsibility to keep the sites in good condition,” Ojo said.
He assured that myriads of challenges facing the state would not deter the current administration from giving its tourist sites the necessary attention and sought the collaboration of private individuals and corporate bodies to make the sites stronger sources of revenue for the government.
