Plateau State joined the rest of the world in commemorating the 2025 World Tourism Day on Saturday with a series of activities aimed at showcasing its unique cultural and natural heritage while emphasizing sustainable tourism practices.
The celebration, themed “Tourism & Sustainable Transformation,” began with a guided tour of major tourist attractions in Jos, including the Jos Wildlife Park and the Jos Museum. It later featured a public lecture, cultural performances, a traditional food exhibition, and stakeholders’ engagement at Rayfield Resort.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Tourism, Culture, and Hospitality, Hon. Cornelius Doeyok, said the day was not only to celebrate but also to “reflect, re-strategize, and recommit” towards making tourism a major driver of sustainable development in Plateau State.
“This year’s theme is a clarion call to move beyond business-as-usual and reimagine our entire approach to tourism,” Doeyok stated. “Tourism on the Plateau must prioritize people, planet, and prosperity—empowering communities, protecting the environment, and building an inclusive, resilient economy.”
He outlined the state’s strategic approach, which includes policy reforms, eco-friendly infrastructure, training for hospitality workers, and public-private-community partnerships to drive growth. He also urged hoteliers, tour operators, the media, and citizens to actively contribute to making Plateau a global model for sustainable tourism.
General Manager of the Plateau State Tourism Corporation, Chuwang Pwajok, described the theme as timely, noting that Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration is already revamping key tourism assets. He called on the private sector to partner with government in repositioning Plateau as Nigeria’s “Home of Peace and Tourism.”
Tourism expert, Mr. Davou Chall, in a keynote paper, stressed that tourism goes beyond leisure, serving as a powerful tool for economic growth, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. He highlighted Plateau’s scenic landscapes, rock formations, waterfalls, wildlife reserves, and cultural festivals as assets that, if harnessed sustainably, could place the state firmly on the global tourism map.
The event also spotlighted the role of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) in capacity development and enforcing industry standards, ensuring professionalism and regulatory compliance across the hospitality sector.
The two-day celebration kicked off with a sanitation exercise at the Jos Wildlife Park and a carnival float across the city. It climaxed with goodwill messages, music, cultural performances, and a tasting of traditional delicacies that reflected Plateau’s rich heritage.
