Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has advised hospitality operators in the state to protect its image through strict food safety and excellent service.

Mr Otu gave the charge at the opening of a three-day capacity-building training on food safety and hygiene for hospitality operators and food handlers on Monday in Calabar.

Represented by John Atsu, managing director of the Cross River Tourism Bureau, the governor said visitors might admire the state’s scenery but would remember most vividly where they ate safely or experienced poor service.

“Hospitality workers are frontline guardians of Cross River’s reputation.
I urge you to make every hygiene practice a building block for the state’s tourism brand,” he said.

He added that tourism and hospitality are central to the state’s economy, stressing that the sector cannot thrive on an unsafe foundation.

Similarly, Albert Kusi, special adviser to the governor on hospitality, said the training was designed to promote best practices and cultivate a stronger service culture.

Mr Kusi said the programme would form part of wider human-capacity initiatives aimed at equipping service providers to meet diverse demands and international hospitality standards.

He urged participants to become ambassadors for their establishments by sharing the knowledge gained with colleagues and making food safety a daily workplace culture.

In a goodwill message, Henry Ayuk, health commissioner, said unsafe food could undermine public health and damage the state’s tourism economy, especially during the carnival season.

“The ministry is strengthening supportive inspections while making medical screening for food handlers faster and more accessible across the state,” Mr Ayuk said.

Mr Ayuk, represented by a director in the ministry, Simon Obogo, urged operators to provide clean water, soap, functional refrigerators and proper storage facilities.

He described food handlers as frontline health workers whose actions could nourish or harm the sector.

On his part, Ayuk Afor, commissioner for tourism, arts and culture, said Cross River’s culinary heritage remained a major attraction, warning that unsafe food could make visitors choose competing destinations.

Represented by Eme Afia, permanent secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Mr Afor said the state’s culture, festivals and delicacies must combine with safety to create memorable experiences for returning tourists.

“Tourism is about experience,” the commissioner said, urging operators to keep every visitor’s experience safe, exciting and welcoming enough to inspire a return visit.

(NAN)