The Edo state tourism sector has continued to attract attention from key investors and players in both the National and Global economy, with the latest coming from the United Nigeria Airlines, which has concluded plans to commence flight operations to Benin City, the Edo State capital, further increasing the number of airlines operating in the State.
The Benin route has continued to experience increased passenger traffic in the wake of the opening up of the business space by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, which has resulted in a lot of business and tourist visits to the State.
The development was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dr. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, who led the management team of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to visit the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House, Benin City.
The visit, according to her, was sequel to the series of engagements by her ministry with the management team of Oba Akenzua II Benin Airport.
She noted that the various engagements with the management were, “on fostering a mutually beneficial alliance with the government. This is with a view to improving the tourism potential and investment drive in the State.”
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FAAN, Kabir Yusuf Mohamed was represented at the meeting by the Director, Commercial and Business Development, Mr. Muyiwa Femi-Pearse.
Describing the outcome of the meeting as satisfactory to both parties, Uyi-Malaka disclosed that, “we were therefore not surprised, but much elated to hear that the United Nigeria Airlines has just added Benin City to its flight routes.”
The Commissioner quoted the Managing Director of the United Nigeria Airline, Obiora Okonkwo, as stating that, “the last seven years have witnessed sustained investment in tourism and has made Edo State the cynosure of all eyes and we have decided to partner with the state to grow her economy by commencing flights into the Benin Airport in the next few weeks.”