Imo State Tourism Board in conjunction with Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has commenced enumeration and recertification of tourism facilities and establishments in Imo State.
According to a press release from tourism board, the exercise is in line with Imo State Tourism Corporation (Amendment) Law, 2017, and the principal law, Imo State Tourism Law No 12 of 1981, which provide for enumeration, classification, registration, licensing, regulation, promotion and establishment and maintenance of data base of all tourism related operations and facilities in Imo State and for their periodic recertification.
To that end, all tourism facilities and establishments in Imo State are mandatorily expected to collect, fill and return necessary forms to the Imo State Tourism Board and pay appropriate recertification fees to designated treasury single account, TSA.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in collaboration with the Board will inspect the facilities and establishments and present certificates of recertification or operational license to those that measure up to standards.
Staff of the Tourism Ministry and those of the Board will visit all tourism facilities and establishments including Hotels, Guest Houses, Motels, Hostels, Inns, Event Centers, Leisure and Recreation Parks, Clubs, Arenas, Open Spaces and Tourists Camps for enumeration, inspection and profiling.
Other facilities include Restaurants, Fast Food, Eatries, Catering Houses, Night Clubs, Music Bars, Lounges, Cinemas, Film Houses, Viewing Centres, Travel/Tours/Transit Companies, and any other facility or establishment operating in tourism and hospitality industry.
The enumeration and recertification exercise will provide the baseline data needed for effective tourism planning, development and promotion; help in creating a register of recognized tourism facilities; enable government monitor compliance with basic standards in the tourism and hospitality industry; and drive positive tourism promotion and tourism value chain marketing, among other benefits.
The recertification exercise is mandatory for all operators of tourism and hospitality facilities and establishments of any type in Imo State and uncertified and unlicensed facilities or establishments will be closed down.
The exercise began on Monday, September 12, 2022, and would be continuous.
