In a bid to give a lifeline to the tourism sector which has been badly hit by the effect of COVID19 pandemic, Cross River State Government has announced the abatement of the Tourism Development Levy (TDL) till the end of December 2020.
This levy is a payment commonly found in tourism-thriving destinations positioned to ensure sustainable tourism.
This development is coming on the heels of an assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on Nigerians and potential tourists by the State Governor, Proof. Ben Ayade.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued by Charles Omoregha, General Manager, Marketing, of Cross River State Tourism Bureau, the Managing Director of the Bureau, Mr. Utsu John Atsu, expressed delight that Cross River State has been able to overtly show Nigerian tourists that the state truly cares about their feelings as they currently experience economic slow-down, naira fall, and international travels restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said; “Tourists can now get greater value for their spend as hotels are renovated, nature sites have been rejuvenated and locals have been eager to see visitors. Cross River is blessed with a huge rain forest that is home to most of Africa’s endangered animal species, the Cross River Gorillas, and a vegetation diversity that includes famous medicinal plants such as the anti-sickling plant Eremosastax Polysperma and the anti-retroviral plant Ancestocladus Korupensis and several more.”
With this development, the state government hopes to give a boost to nature exploration in a bid to give local tourism the lead after the restriction on international travel.
Recall that the Cross River State Tourism Bureau is currently on a drive to ensure that all accommodation establishments in the state comply with its post-COVID19 re-opening guidelines which were prepared in conjunction with the South-south zone of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, FTAN.
