by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
To mark the 2025 Tourism day in Plateau State was not just to celebrate, but to reflect, re-strategize, and recommit the State to a future where tourism becomes the primary engine for a sustainable and transformative development.
Commissioner for Plateau’s Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Cornelius Dangnaan Doeyok, while speaking at the event, said “This year’s theme: ‘Tourism & Sustainable Transformation,’ is not merely a slogan; it is an urgent call to action.
“It challenges us to move beyond business-as-usual and to re-imagine our entire approach to tourism. It is a clarion call to harness the power of our unique heritage, not as a resource to be depleted, but as a legacy to be nurtured for generations unborn.”
While buttressing on a slogan, ‘The Three Pillars of Sustainability,’ he explained that, “The concept of sustainability rests on three interdependent pillars: People, Planet, and Prosperity. For tourism on the Plateau to be truly transformative, it must excel in all three.
People Social Sustainability – “This is about our communities. Sustainable tourism must actively involve and benefit our local people. It means, creating dignified jobs, preserving our rich cultural tapestry and ensuring that the stories told to visitors are authentic and respectful.”
He said, “It is about community-based tourism where the host communities are the primary stakeholders and beneficiaries, not just spectators.”
Planet Environmental Sustainability – “Plateau State is blessed with unparalleled natural beauty – our temperate climate, the majestic Shere Hills, the serene Wase Rock, and the wildlife of the Pandam Game Reserve and the Jos Wildlife Park.”
The Commissioner also noted that, “Sustainable transformation demands that we become fierce guardians of this environment. This means, promoting eco-friendly practices in our hotels, encouraging waste management, conserving our water bodies, and developing low-impact tourism activities like hiking, bird watching, and agro-tourism that leave only footprints and take only photographs.”
On Prosperity Economic Sustainability, he said “True transformation must be economically viable. We must create a tourism economy that is resilient, inclusive, and generates lasting wealth within our state.”
Mr. Doeyok stressed further that, “This involves supporting local entrepreneurs, promoting the ‘Taste of Plateau’ initiative to ensure our restaurants source locally, and developing tourism products that attract high-value, responsible travelers who appreciate and are willing to pay for authentic, sustainable experiences.”
On Plateau State’s Strategic Path to Sustainable Transformation, he explained further that, this administration, under the visionary leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, is committed to this sustainable path. Their strategy is built on several key actions.
“This include, the Policy and Regulation, which they are reviewing their tourism Master Plan to embed sustainability as a core principle, not an afterthought. But this includes guidelines for green building in the hospitality industry and incentives for businesses that adopt best practices.
“Others include, Infrastructure Development – which is improving access roads to key tourist sites, but doing so with sensitivity to the environment and local communities, and, Capacity Building – which is investing in training for their tour guides, hotel staff, and artisans to ensure they are equipped with the skills to deliver world-class, sustainable services.”
Public-Private-Community Partnerships (PPCPs) – “This to recognize that government cannot do it alone. We are actively fostering partnerships that bring together private investment, government oversight, and community ownership.”
He called on all stakeholder to take that step with them, and challenged Hospital Operators to reduce single-use plastics, conserve energy and water, and actively promote local culture and products within their establishments.
According to him, “The Tour Operators are expected to design itineraries that include community visits, cultural exchanges, and nature conservation activities. Educate your clients on the importance of being responsible tourists,” he said.
He equally called on the Media to be their partners in telling the new story of the State – a story of resilience, beauty, and sustainable progress.
He also recognized citizens of Plateau State, saying, “You are their first and most important ambassadors,” and urged them to take pride in their cleanliness, their culture, and their hospitality,” noting that, “A warm smile to a visitor is the first step in sustainable tourism.”
The Commissioner reminded the people to remember that the transformation they seek is not a destination, but a continuous journey, and to come and work together to build a tourism sector in the state, so that Plateau children will be proud of a sector that protects their environment, empowers the people, and shares their story with the world in a way that is both profitable and permanent.
“Plateau State is, and will remain, the Home of Peace and Tourism. Let us now transform it into the global benchmark for sustainable tourism,” he stated.