The tourism and hospitality industry remains one of the key accelerators of the economy and revenue drivers of many nations and states.
Following the oscillation and dwindling federal allocations, orchestrated by advancements in alternative energy, global and regional environmental advocacies, global pandemic, exchange rates, etc, many states within the country are fast sourcing alternative routes to fund their annual budgets, improve infrastructure, and economic reserves.
In the 2021 fiscal year, the Imo state tourism sector accounted for the #2,491,853,250 sectorial revenue budget of the state (Imo State Government 2021).
The state government similarly maintained that the tourism industry remains a key driver of the State economy (Vanguard, Jan. 9th, 2020) and this outlines the Imo reception industry as an important sector of our economy, which requires every good attention it can attract to expand the industry for optimal revenue generation and at the same time satisfy the social needs of Ndi-Imo, sojourners, businessmen, and travelers, providing sighting pleasures that appeal to local and international pleasure seekers.
READ: Africa: Imo State Turns River Nworie In Owerri Into A Landscaped Tourism Leisure Showpiece
Key players and regulators of the industry recommend that improved tourist attractions tend to curb social vices and reduce juvenile behaviours among youths. Research by the Project on Human Development in Chicago (College of Health Sciences, Eastern Kentucky University), informs that community involvement in neighbourhood Parks is associated with lower crime and vandalism.
Deducting from the foregoing, the initiative by the Imo State Government to set up Nworie Recreational Park will serve as a great improvement on the state’s tourism and hospitality infrastructures, with a good impact on the state economy and the environment.
Imo State is strategically located as a confluence state linking the south-east region with the south-south, with its soothing environmental endowments, pleasant weather, and cozy hospitality facilities that embellish Owerri capital city accounts for the huge influx of fun-seekers to the City on weekends.
The huge entertainment enthusiasts trooping from Port Harcourt, Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, Bayelsa, Asaba, etc, into the city of Owerri every weekend, provides an already existing regional market base for the park to thrive and impact the local economy, trade, and investments.
The ongoing urban renewal projects and improved road networks in Imo State and the sighting of the recreational park along Nworie River, stretching through Umezurike to West End, Old Nekede Road, will further position Owerri capital City as a tourist and entertainment destination.
The Nworie Recreational Park is detailed to provide a warm ambiance of relaxation for all classes, with a floating bar/restaurant, a ferry transportation facility from one point of the park at Umezurike axis, and terminating at West End, Old Nekede Road.
Aside from improving the local tax base, public parks and recreational facilities also impact positively on property values, as studies reveal that the availability of quality parks and recreational infrastructures greatly influence business relocation choices, and also, properties that situate by water views witness increase in appreciation rates and appeals.
The import of the foregoing is that the establishment of Nworie Recreational Park will translate to appreciation in real estates within the area, attract more local and international businesses and investors into Imo state and enhance healthier social interaction .
Nworie Recreational Park is promising and will turn out to be another landmark investment in the tourism and hospitality infrastructures of the state, after Imo Concorde Hotel, which will provide a family-friendly green space for healthier family relaxations, reunions, picnics, holiday destinations for both local and international tourism and entertainment fans. Like what is obtained at Wukari Park, Millennium Park, Pleasure Park, and Floating Basketball Court in Landmark Beach Front, Lagos State which hosted the NBA Crossover event, on February 5th, 2022.
The over five hundred hospitality facilities that are strategically located within the Nworie River environment, and its adjoining areas will complement the initiative for a well befitting recreational park in Owerri capital city, and the green environment provided by parks for funfair and family relaxations has the potential of lowering crime.
Contact with nature reduces precursors to crime like stress and aggression, making people feel happier and less inclined to engage in criminal acts (the conversation.com 2019), and this can go a long way in curbing extremist agitations and provide more cool environments for families to connect with nature and recreate memorable outdoor experiences.
By Fortune Akujuobi.
