Oyo Government Plans Central Digital Platform, Dedicated Websites For Tourism Businesses

Oyo Government Plans Central Digital Platform, Dedicated Websites For Tourism Businesses
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‎The Oyo State Government has announced plans to establish a central digital platform and develop dedicated websites for tourism businesses as part of efforts to improve access to information and promote the state’s tourism sector.
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‎The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, disclosed this during activities marking the 2026 World Tourism Day, themed “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”
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‎He said the proposed centralised platform would enable local and international visitors to access information on hotels, tourist attractions, transportation and other tourism-related services from a single hub.
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‎Olatunbosun said the initiative would make it easier for visitors to obtain relevant information while giving tourism businesses greater visibility and creating a coordinated system for promoting destinations across the state.
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‎The commissioner also disclosed plans to develop dedicated websites and online registration platforms for hospitality businesses in the state, saying the system would help the government build an accurate database of operators and improve planning and service delivery.
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‎He explained that the proposed digital registration system would bring operators within the tourism and hospitality sector into a structured database, enabling the government to better understand the industry and identify areas requiring support and intervention.
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‎“Our plan is to have all these people use digital platforms for registration. We have started planning for it. The only challenge is that we are looking for resources to implement it. We would have done it long ago,” he said.
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‎Olatunbosun said the government’s digital agenda was aimed at repositioning the tourism sector and making Oyo State more visible to tourists, investors and other stakeholders within and outside Nigeria.
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‎He noted that digital technology and Artificial Intelligence had transformed the global tourism industry, particularly in the way tourists discover destinations, obtain information, make bookings and plan their journeys.
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‎According to him, Oyo State has several historical, cultural and natural attractions that could benefit from stronger digital exposure and strategic promotion.
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‎The commissioner said the use of digital platforms would also create opportunities for tourism businesses to reach a wider market and enable potential visitors to obtain information about destinations before travelling.
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‎He added that the digital transformation of the sector would promote tourism, attract visitors and investors and provide a sustainable foundation that could be built upon by future administrations.
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‎Olatunbosun commended Governor Seyi Makinde for providing an enabling environment for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to operate, saying the administration’s support had contributed to efforts to develop the sector.
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‎The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Rotimi Babalola, appreciated Governor Makinde for providing the opportunity to commemorate World Tourism Day and commended the commissioner, management, staff and stakeholders for their contributions to the celebration.
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‎Activities marking the celebration included a stage play by renowned playwright Femi Osofisan, an NTA awareness programme and the Explore Ibadan tour.
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‎Participants also visited tourism sites including the New Culture Studio, Tunde Odunlade Art Gallery, Adventure Playground Ecotherapy Centre and IITA Forest Centre.
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‎A World Tourism Day walk was also held from Adamasingba Stadium to the Secretariat as part of activities to raise awareness about tourism and its potential contribution to the state’s development.
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‎As part of the celebration, Capricorn Concierge Tourism Services Limited presented an award to Olatunbosun in recognition of his support for domestic tourism development.
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‎The Managing Director of the Business Domestic Promotion and Empowerment Programme, Mr Tayo Araoye, said the commissioner had supported initiatives aimed at promoting domestic tourism.
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‎Araoye said Olatunbosun had also approved scholarship opportunities for the first 1,000 Ibadan residents to participate in the Business of Domestic Tourism Promotion and Empowerment Programme.
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‎Also speaking, the representative of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, His Royal Majesty Oba Kolawole Adegbola, pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at promoting culture and tourism in the state.
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