The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting investors in the hospitality sector, assuring businesses of continued efforts to create a favourable environment for sustainable growth and development. The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, gave the assurance when he received the management team of Metro Tulip Apartment Hotel & Suites, Akobo, Ibadan, during a courtesy visit to the ministry. Olatubosun expressed satisfaction with the hotel’s interest in partnering with the state government to promote Oyo’s tourism potential. He said the increasing interest of investors in the sector was an indication that the culture and tourism policies of the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde were yielding positive results. The commissioner explained that the state’s tourism development was being driven by collaboration among government and industry stakeholders, noting that teamwork, commitment and passion remained essential to achieving sustainable growth. He assured hospitality investors of government’s support through improved infrastructure, enhanced security and other initiatives designed to strengthen the tourism ecosystem. Olatubosun also urged Metro Tulip to develop programmes in partnership with the ministry, particularly around major cultural and tourism events such as the World Egungun Festival, World Tourism Day, Sango Festival and Isese Day celebrations. He encouraged other investors in the hospitality industry to explore the opportunities available in Oyo State, assuring them of the ministry’s readiness to support initiatives that would contribute to the growth of the sector. The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, commended the Metro Tulip management for its hospitality initiative and encouraged the hotel to sustain its investment in the sector. Babalola urged the management to submit proposals for government consideration, particularly those capable of contributing to the development of the hotel industry and the broader hospitality sector. Similarly, the General Manager of the Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Adekunle Agboola, praised the hotel’s proposal to establish a cultural corridor for showcasing monuments and tourism attractions. He advised the management to collaborate with the Visual Arts Department of the council to complement the project with artworks showcasing Oyo State’s rich cultural heritage and tourism destinations. Earlier, the General Manager of Metro Tulip Apartment Hotel & Suites, Mr. Clifford Ndubuisi, commended the ministry’s leadership and Governor Seyi Makinde’s efforts to position Oyo State as a leading tourism destination in Nigeria. Ndubuisi highlighted some of the state’s tourism achievements, including the hosting of the International Tourism Summit and the recognition of the World Sango Festival as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. He noted that the expansion of tourism activities across the state was creating new opportunities for the hospitality industry, particularly with the growing number of visitors to attractions such as Idere Hills, the Iyake Suspended Lake in Ado-Awaye and the World Egungun Festival. According to him, Metro Tulip’s visit was aimed at transitioning from being a passive observer of the state’s tourism development to becoming an active partner. He said the hotel was prepared to align its operations with the ministry’s tourism calendar and agenda while contributing to the government’s efforts to grow the sector. Ndubuisi proposed several areas of collaboration, including the establishment of a cultural information hub within the hotel, curated heritage tour packages, partnerships around major festivals, and support for the proper structuring, registration and standardisation of the hospitality sector. He also pledged the hotel’s support for the actualisation of the state government’s tourism objectives. The Metro Tulip team appreciated the commissioner for his open-door policy and commitment to advancing culture and tourism in Oyo State, expressing optimism that the proposed partnership would attract more visitors, promote the state’s cultural heritage and boost its hospitality and tourism economy.