Plateau State joined the global community in commemorating the 2025 World Tourism Day with a two-day celebration that showcased its rich cultural and natural heritage while underscoring the importance of sustainable tourism.

Themed “Tourism & Sustainable Transformation,” the celebration featured a guided tour of major attractions in Jos—including the Jos Wildlife Park, Jos Museum, and an art gallery—alongside a public lecture, cultural performances, a traditional food exhibition, and a stakeholders’ engagement at Rayfield Resort.

Commissioner for Tourism, Culture, and Hospitality, Hon. Cornelius Doeyok, described the day as an opportunity not only to celebrate but also to “reflect, re-strategize, and recommit” to making tourism a major driver of development in the state.

“This year’s theme is a clarion call to move beyond business-as-usual and reimagine our entire approach to tourism,” he said. “Tourism on the Plateau must prioritize people, planet, and prosperity—empowering communities, protecting the environment, and building an inclusive, resilient economy.”

Doeyok outlined the state’s strategic plans, which include policy reforms, eco-friendly infrastructure, workforce training, and public-private-community partnerships. He urged hoteliers, tour operators, the media, and residents to play active roles in repositioning Plateau as a global tourism destination.

General Manager of the Plateau State Tourism Corporation, Chuwang Pwajok, said the theme was timely, adding that Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration is already revamping key tourism assets. He appealed to the private sector to partner with government in sustaining Plateau’s brand as Nigeria’s “Home of Peace and Tourism.”

Delivering a keynote paper, tourism expert Mr. Davou Chall noted that tourism is not just leisure but also a tool for economic growth, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. He cited Plateau’s landscapes, waterfalls, rock formations, wildlife reserves, and festivals as unique assets that, if sustainably harnessed, could secure global recognition for the state.

The event also spotlighted the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) for its role in capacity development, professional training, and ensuring compliance with industry standards across the hospitality sector.

Festivities began with a sanitation exercise at the Jos Wildlife Park and a carnival float through the city, climaxing with goodwill messages, music, cultural displays, and a traditional delicacy tasting that celebrated Plateau’s rich heritage.