The Director General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Dr. (Mrs.) Sally Mbanefo, has lauded the efforts of the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, for his commitment to focus on uplifting the status of the state into a major tourist destination in Nigeria. She made this remark at the just concluded MARE Festival held in Idanre town, at the weekend.

Speaking as a special guest, during the opening ceremony of the Idanre Resorts, developed by the state government, the NTDC boss revealed that Ondo State is one of the state in the country that has demonstrated serious commitment to developing the state as a tourism hub.

According to her “as a result of the level of development in the state’s tourism sector, I have continued to promote the various tourism potentials to the global community.   Ondo state people are great in hospitality, each time I visit the state, there is always something beautiful that makes me feel at home. As an advocate of domestic tourism, the changes in the state and particularly Idanre hill since the last time I visited it is so dramatic.

Ondo state is today the shining light in the Medical Tourism in the country. I commend the level of work carried out at the Idanre resort which has employed more than two hundred workers.”

Mbanefo in her speech said “Ondo state is a major tourism destination because of the large deposit of tourism potentials. The government has worked so hard to improve the status of the state economically.

Within my short stay in the office as the Director General of the NTDC, I have tour more than 20 states and participated in many festivals but South-West, particularly Ondo state is the best, the development of tourism particularly the resort is an awesome and amazing experience which will be fascinating. The resort is another testimony of the transformational work of the state governor and his team”

While pledging her continuous support for the festival, the D-G, who also joined the traditional dancers to dance to the local beat, promised to always partner with the state government on the marketing of the festival to international tourists. According to her, Overland airline has indicated interest to commence commercial flight from Akure – Abuja and Lagos in order to facilitate the movement of tourists and fun seekers to various tourism destinations in the state.

Meanwhile, NTDC ensures that domestic tourism remains the best approach to promote Nigeria tourism and create wealth for the nation and people.

“Hence, the Corporation is investing tenacious efforts on promoting domestic tourism to empower Local Government at the grass root level, create jobs at the various local governments.

To reduce Urban migration thereby facilitate integration of culture within Nigeria and encourage unity through a festival like MARE festival in Ondo State “She said.

The Mare Festival showcased many cultural dancing troupes in the state, street parading of the mountain like built floating van, moving on street with music of cultural festival and drumming and going with other cultural display of different culture from across the state exhibited.