Lagos remains preferred choice for entertainment, leisure – Ambode

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, on Thursday, said that the state would remain creative to retaining the ranking of being the preferable destination for business, leisure and entertainment in Africa.

Ambode said this in his opening address at the 2nd International Drink Festival held at the Balmoral Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the festival, packaged by the Balmoral Group, would run from Thursday, November 29 to Sunday, December 2.

The organisers also said that the four-day drink gala would attract over 200 brands of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, while consumers’ satisfaction would be its main focus.

Ambode, represented by his Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Aramide Giwason, said that the government would ensure that Lagos remained on the tourism map in the world.

“This festival is an affirmation of the confidence of the private sector investors and stakeholders in our administration’s policies and initiatives for the promotion and development of the potential available in the tourism sector.

“This is also a clear demonstration of our resolve to place our state on the tourism map and make it a preferable option for leisure travellers.

“This can be viewed in the release of the maiden calendar of Lagos State endorsed and supported tourism events in the beginning of the year 2018.

“It is our desire and in furtherance of the inclusive governance policy to continue to seek collaboration with all institutions and corporate bodies to expand the hosting of more crowd pulling events,’’ he said.

Ambode said that the festival could be seen in the light of promoting a brand of business relations, tourism and entertainment that would give all stakeholders a forum for interaction.

“The concept of International Drink Festival is a means of promoting hospitality and recreation sector while providing a platform for business opportunities and networking in a convivial atmosphere for investors, stakeholders and public.

“Indeed, the culture of sharing drinks among friends, groups or as a means of facilitating good relations is centuries old and cuts across tribal or ethnic diversities across the world.

“This will deepen our strategic investment for the evolution of more creative events to boost Lagos State ranking as a preferable destination for tourism in Africa and the World,’’ he said.

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