Nigeria’s tourism industry is affected by the negative reports of various crimes being dished out to the international community, the Ondo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Tola Wewe, said Thursday in Akure.
Wewe made the observation at a news conference to usher in next month’s Mare Festival in the town of Idanre, Ondo State. Wewe has a personal experience of crime; his elderly mother and a young relative were recently kidnapped and subsequently released.
While assuring the safety of prospective tourists gracing the Mare, Mr. Wewe said this year’s edition will be spiced up with a marathon, for which a cash prize of $3,000 has been set aside for a foreign winner of the race.
He added that six other states and 18 local government councils in the state would participate in the festival. “This year’s edition will allow the state to experience some foreign investors,” he said.
“We are giving it a more creative all-inclusive meaning where MARE is an acronym of the activities for the festival. M-Marathon, A- Art and culture, R-Rock climbing and E-Exhibitions and Entertainment,” the Commissioner stated.
This year’s festival would also feature activities such as carnival procession, mountain climbing, cultural performances, art exhibition, beauty contest and a concert featuring music stars like Seun Kuti, Dare Art Alade, Lord of Ajasa, Weird MC and a host of others performing live.
Mare is a mountain climbing festival in hilly Idanre; and its original name means ‘Don’t Fall’. Climbers from many countries took part in the first annual event in the town last year.
Mare holds in Idanre, Ondo State from December 9 to 13.Source:http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/ArtsandCulture/Travel/5643999-146/story.csp
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