The IITA Ibadan campus is fast becoming a leading eco-tourism hub in Nigeria. Beyond producing research-based products and services that enrich African agriculture, lives, and livelihoods, the campus also boasts a rich base for adventure tours, nature walks, and a relaxation center. The IITA Forest Center organized a workshop on 4 November to sensitize partners in the hospitality chain of IITA services on the tremendous potential IITA Ibadan holds for eco-tourism and hospitality.
Representatives from units that contribute directly and indirectly to the satisfaction of the Institute’s eco-visitors—Hospitality and Travel Services (HOSTRAS), Facility Management Services (FMS), Security Unit, Human Resources Unit, and Communication Office—converged to brainstorm and share ways to upscale the current gains from eco-tourism and hospitality in IITA.
In her welcome address, IITA Deputy Director General for Corporate Services, Hilde Koper-Limbourg, commended all units working together to provide excellent services for eco-tourists who visit IITA. She emphasized afforestation as a means to combat environmental pollution, control climate change, and make the planet more adaptable and conducive for people.
Representing the Head of HOSTRAS, Bridget Mangulama, Conference Services Manager Funke Ogunsola, said, “Tourism is a good business that can generate funds by attracting people to the tourist center.” She added that there should be synergy between eco-tourism and hospitality, and we should all work together to create good impressions among IITA’s visiting guests.
Security Unit Head David Oluwadare highlighted the risks associated with travel and tourism. He urged all participants to invest in being security-informed and always put their lives and safety first. IITA’s Employee Services Officer Philip Velshik said, “Every IITA member must express the core values of IITA at work and with people. As an IITA brand ambassador, you must live the IITA core values—originality, excellence, collaboration, respect, professionalism, integrity, equity, and inclusiveness—in all dealings with the Institute’s stakeholders, both internal and external.”
IITA Forest Center Field Supervisor, Ademola Ajayi, highlighted a Google search analysis showing promising records that many people search to choose IITA Forest Center as their go-to place for relaxation and nature walks. The online searches translate to actual visitations as the chart of visitors’ inflow also reflected an increase in the number of visiting guests to IITA Forest Center.
IITA Ibadan’s calm ambiance with carefully tended green landscapes, golf course, lakes, 350 ha Forest reserve, camping sites, adventure playgrounds, swimming pool, outdoor and indoor sports facilities, internet facility, lodging rooms, and more makes it a choice place for tourists and adventurists.
The training ended with the Forest Center Management presenting gifts to the IITA staff, who have been instrumental to the success of eco-tourism and hospitality in IITA. The staff members were encouraged and motivated to do more to boost the eco-tourism and hospitality potential of the IITA Ibadan campus for the Institute’s benefit.
Contributed by: Anita Akinyomade and Folake Oduntan
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