The proprietor of the Brooklyn Tourism Centre and former President of the Association Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Alabo Mike Amachree, has called on the Rivers State government to encourage the private tourism developers to establish tourist sites and museums where artifacts, relics and monuments would be on display. He said it was the only way to make the state a tourist destination.
He added: “Organizing carnivals, night clubs, hotels and tour guide services are completely the function of the private sectors as was the case in Plateau state in the early 90’s. Government’s position is to provide the infrastructure for the private sector to operate. Amachree made this call when a group, the Niger Delta Cultural Entertainers paid him a visit.”
Amachree said tourism was not just about building hotels, fast food restaurants, organizing carnival festivals that will attract the desired tourists to Rivers State as these facilities are mere ancillary or support service for tourism promotion and tourist delight.
He said the state has to develop high class tourist sites and museums where our history and cultural relics, artifacts and monuments would be permanently exhibited for admiration by our visiting tourists. The tour operators would then market the sites and bring in visitors. He said also that development and promotion of tourism was entirely a private sector affair, and that government was to provide enabling environment.
The leader of the group, Professor Henry Bellgam of the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Port Harcourt, said the visit was to felicitate and encourage the proprietor of the centre, Alabo Mike Amachree , on his latest tourism venture, the Brooklyn Tourism Centre, Port Harcourt.
The group noted that Chief Amachree despite his age and years in industry was still enthusiastic and at the forefront of promoting Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria in general as a tourism destination. They noted that the Brooklyn Tourist Centre would not only offer relaxation facilities for residents of Port Harcourt, but would also be educative for pupils in both primary and secondary school as the have the opportunity to see both exotic animals and through the museum learn about the history of Africa.
The centre, located at the East-West Road, Rumuosi in Obio-Akpor council area of the state, has in addition to relaxation and accommodation facilities, the Museum of African History and Culture and a zoo. The museum had history of top monarchs that has left indelible marks in the history of Nigeria.
In his speech at the occasion, Amachree thanked them for the visit. He explained that tourism was major economic activity which generates income and create employment for the people. He said for a country or state to attract tourists both local and inbound tourists, necessary infrastructures and superstructures that are capable of attracting tourists have to be put in place in addition to the tourists attractions.
He said: “Tourism can only succeed in an environment where there is peace and security. I therefore express my sincere appreciation of the people of the Rumuosi community in the Obio/Akpor council area where the centre is located”.
Among those in the team were Dr. P.C. Chuku, Mr. Bright David and others.
