All is set for the much anticipated 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM), of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), in Osun State, Nigeria. The AGM which will be hosted by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi at the Ife Grand Resorts and Leisure is slated to hold on 24th May 2019. NATOP AGM with the Theme: “Impact of Culture, Partnerships and Governance on Nigeria Tourism Development”, will feature a four day program to include a tour of Osun state, sacred sites and the palace of the Oba from the 23rd of May, while the AGM conference and meeting will hold on the 24th May. The National president NATOP, Hajia Bilkisu Abdul said the program is very keen and targeted at exploring south western Nigeria, spotlighting Ife as a cultural and religious destination to both domestic and International tourists. The President who thanked His Royal Majesty the OOni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II for his kind gesture to host this year’s AGM, hinted that the DG, Nigerian Council of Arts and Culture Otunba Olusegun Runsewe and DG, Nigeria Tourism Development Commission Mr Folarin Coker have confirmed to attend the AGM in Osun State. She said other special guests such as the Hon. Commissioner of Tourism Osun State, Presidents of associations, Tourism expert Ikechi Uko have been invited for this year’s AGM in Osun. General Manager, Ife Grand Resorts, Habib Reuben, in a statement said: "Ife awaits tour operators who will help position our unique product and rich culture which is very dear to the Kabiyesi’s heart and help redefine weekend travel culture for Nigerians and International tourists". This is coming after the President of the Association Hajia Bilikisu Abdul led Executive Members of NATOP on a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Ooni in March. The Ooni of Ife thanked the association and promised to showcase the huge tourism assets of Ife, the source of Yoruba civilisation during the AGM. According to the President of NATOP Hajia Bilikisu “As a National Association we use our AGM to expose our members to the huge tourism potentials and resources available in Nigeria.” The 2018 edition of NATOP AGM was hosted in Jos by the Plateau State Government. Plateau State is the North Central Part of Nigeria. The 2017 AGM was held in Lagos and was attended by the Minister of information Culture and Tourism Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The 2016 Edition of The AGM was held in Calabar Cross River State in the South-South Region of Nigeria. NATOP is an Association for Tour Operators involved in both Outbound and Inbound Tourism.

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