According to a news report from Voice of Nigeria, the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) has pledged to market tourism attractions in Kwara State during its upcoming 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Mrs Ime Udo, the National President of NATOP, revealed this during a virtual media briefing in Lagos on Friday. The AGM is scheduled to take place from July 17 to July 20 in Ilorin, Kwara.

Udo explained that the goal of marketing these sites is to attract both local and international tourists to the state, particularly to the ancient city of Ilorin.

She also mentioned that the association is partnering with the Kwara Government to host the AGM.

“It has always been our tradition to host our AGM in different states of the federation to deliberately put searchlight on the tourism potential in each state.

“So, we have planned to market most of the sites in Kwara state as local and global choice destinations.

“We will be visiting Sobi Hills, Owu falls, the University of Ilorin Zoological Garden and iconic places where local fabrics of Aso-oke are made.

According to Udo, states have become eager to host NATOP AGM annually,which she said, is a testament to the success of previous AGMs.

Udo revealed the theme for the AGM as “Tourism as Catalyst for Progress, Peace and Partnership”.

She said the theme was carefully coined to address salient issues of insecurity and the need for tourism industry players to improve on collaborations.

Speaking further on the AGM, Mrs Bolaji Mustapha, Deputy President of NATOP, who also doubles as the Chairperson, Planning Committee for the AGM, said July 18 would feature a conference at the Banquet Hall, GRA, Ilorin.

According to her, this segment of the programme will have a keynote speaker address important issues in the industry, as well as panel sessions.

“July 17 is for arrivals. For 18th, we will hold the conference. On the 19th, we will have the city tour of Ilorin while every delegate returns to their destination on July 20.

“As tour operators, we want to encourage Nigerians to travel within the country. That is the reason we go extra miles to identify hidden tourism sites and promote them.

“During the AGM, we will have a tour of Ilorin. We will have each local government area showcase all their cultural and tourism endowments so that all tour operators present will be better informed on what to market.

“We are set to open Kwara state up for tourism,” she said.