Leading tourism state in Nigeria, Cross Rivers state has thrown its weight behind the prestigious annual Nollywood Economic Outlook (NEO 2020).

Speaking when the south south coordinator of the Nollywood Economic Outlook Mr Victor Oton Godpikin led a delegate to his office, the Cross Rivers state commissioner for culture and tourism Eric Anderson reinstated the state’s commitment to make Calabar the tourism hub of Nigeria.

“As you already know, tourism has become a major economic booster in today’s world and that is why the government of cross rivers state has consistently played a leading role in using tourism as a tool for economic and national development. Over the years, Tourism development has significantly transformed Cross Rivers state into a natural paradise where most fun-seekers and visitors wish to visit. The State has developed what is today known as a unique cultural and tourism development plan, featuring two major products - The Calabar Festival and Carnival Calabar in its tourism calendar. I hereby endorse the Nollywood Economic Outlook because of its vision to promote tourism as catalyst for national development. Rest assured that I shall be leading the Cross Rivers delegate to attend this epoch event” The commissioner noted.

The Nollywood Economic Outlook (NEO 2020) is designed to bring together top panel of experts, Innovators and connectors from tourism and other sectors of the economy to discuss and x-ray key national and global economic forecast and trends; chart a course that will transform Nigeria into a global economic and tourism hub that is prosperous, safe, secure, functional, productive and driven by culture, tourism and digitisation.

Now in its fourth edition, the event would provide a platform for government to present its plans/policies and the private sector to provide insights into challenges, opportunities, available solutions and options in deploying infrastructure to support the tourism development. In addition it is a great opportunity for networking and forging strategic partnerships among key stakeholders in the sector.

NEO 2020 is billed to hold in Lagos in February and Cross River is a leading contender for the Outstanding Tourism State of the Year Award. Other states nominated in this category are Edo state, Osun state, Taraba state and Akwa Ibom state.