The recently concluded  Association of Tour Operators, NATOP Annual General Meeting, AGM in Calabar ‎offered participants especially those that missed the opportunity to attend the Carnival Calabar Festival last year December another chance to experience a mock display by the Carnival band dancers.‎
The carnival dancers were at their best at the event displaying fantastic dance steps ‎and beautiful costumes that has made the carnival the biggest street party in Africa.
There was never a dull moment at the AGM as the the bevy of beautiful dancers entertained guests at intervals.
Speaking at the event, the governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade  who was represented by his Special Assistant, SA on Event, Ken Aklah emphasised the importance and priority the state government attaches to tourism.
He said for Cross River State, tourism is their own oil, which explains why the Governor took over the overseeing of tourism ministry in the state.
Aklah‎  observed that other state chief executives would have taken other ministry that is considered more lucrative to oversee, but instead of that the governor chose tourism, which is a testimony of the government commitment to the promotion and development of tourism in the state.‎
In his remarks,  the chairman of the Cross River Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah lamented the unfriendly  tourism ‎policies of the federal government.
He noted that the Carnival Calabar has been unique in the area of harnessing the youth employment opportunities in a lucrative industry.
‎Speaking at the event also, Mrs Tourism United Nations, Mrs Ebele Enechukwu stressed that the diversification of the economy into tourism is the right direction to follow as a result of the dwindling oil prices.
She said as Mrs Tourism UN‎ she will do her own quota to promote the growth and development of tourism in the country.

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