The commissioner for arts and culture in Abia, Matthew Ekwuribe, has affirmed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment to grow and strengthen the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Mr Ekwuribe said this at the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ engagement for the hospitality and tourism sectors in Umuahia, on Wednesday.

He said that the state was poised to put the necessary measures in place to attract investment, generate employment and position the state as a preferred tourism destination in the country.

Mr Ekwuribe also said that Governor Alex Otti’s administration remained focused on repositioning the hospitality and tourism sector to achieve sustainable growth and enhance competitiveness across the state.

Mr Ekwuribe urged industry operators to align their operations with the government’s reform initiatives, adopt global best practices, and leverage technology to improve service delivery and enhance customer satisfaction.

He also charged industry stakeholders to embrace innovation, standardisation, and strategic partnerships as essential drivers to stimulate growth and ensure long-term sustainability.

The commissioner reiterated the Abia government’s resolve to upgrade standards through a comprehensive inspection, grading, and classification across hospitality and tourism establishments statewide. He said the initiative was designed to address poor maintenance culture, improve operational standards and ensure facilities comply with acceptable industry benchmarks and regulatory requirements.

Mr Ekwuribe explained that the infusion of technology would enable customers to share real-time experiences, thereby encouraging operators to maintain high standards and continuously improve service delivery.