Community-based tourism can transform rural areas, says Gov Diri’s aide

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Douye Diri on Tourism, Mr Piriye Kiyaramo, has said that tourism at the community levels can turn the economic fortunes in rural areas around in Bayelsa State if properly harnessed.

He appealed to communities in the state to form tourism platforms such as travel clubs or associations to liaise with appropriate agencies, institutions, and industry associations to profile their tourism potentials.

Kiyaramo, who described community-based tourism as an alternative economic activity that bridges the social and economic gap of rural communities.

He explained that tourism is suitable for communities seeking to generate additional income in their daily economic activities, utilising the cultural, natural, and local resources in the area.

Kiyaramo spoke on Saturday in Yenagoa during a meeting with a delegation from Ekeni community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

The group was led by a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Bayelsa Governor on Special Duties, Hon. Watchman James.

Speaking further Kiyaramo who is also known as Mr Tourism, explained that community-based tourism affords the inhabitants of the area to become tour guides and provide services to visitors.

He noted that community-based tourism can provide communities with an income stream in the production and exchange of goods and services that are unique in each locality to drive traffic of tourists to the area.

He noted that the administration of Gov Douye Diri is committed to ensuring that prosperity spreads to all nooks and crannies of the state through community-based tourism activities.

“Today community-based tourism is in constant evolution, not only in the advanced nations, but also in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, generating more active tourist participation in the customs, traditions and habits of social groups in rural communities.

“Some local communities in the Caribbean Islands have been able to identify opportunities within the tourism and are now effectively participating in the industry.

“Communities are involved in the design and implementation of tourism, as well as facilitating community participation with the aim of contributing to economic growth,” Kiyaramo said.

He reiterated the need to strengthen the capacities of the relevant institutions and agencies to support the development of community-based tourism with special attention to the conservation of wildlife.

Kiyaramo emphasised the importance of participation of community representatives, government agencies and non-governmental organizations, including industry associations in community tourism activities.

Kiyaramo explained further that community-based tourism entails a more participatory approach to tourism and that it can become a viable tourism product.

Earlier, the leader of the Ekeni community delegation James informed Kiyaramo of the forthcoming Ekeni community cultural festival, known as Korobere Festival which comes up every November and solicited support from the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, organising committee of the Korobere annual cultural festival, Mr Valentine Amaegberi, enumerated events earmarked for this year’s festival.

They include traditional wrestling, canoeing, beach party, beach volleyball, masquerade displays, music, and cultural dance competitions, among other activities to spice up the event.

Those on the visiting youth leader Mr Selekebuna George Woniowei, Braladei B. Wuku, Kingsley Amakiri, Ebidei Aneri, Perenanabofa Abraham, Indukari Martins Sintei, Leizou Fuel, Shagari Baradei Sakpu and Ebikiri Moses who are community leaders.