2025 WORLD TOURISM DAY CELEBRATION TO HOLD AT TARKWA BAY
... As Commissioner Leads Other Top Officials On Inspection Visit
As preparations for this year's World Tourism Day celebration continues, the Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to repositioning the State’s beaches as hubs of sustainable tourism and investment.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, alongside delegates and other relevant stakeholders, on Monday, September 22, 2025, undertook a pre-event visit to Tarkwa Bay Beach, which will serve as the official venue for this year’s celebration which is slated on Saturday, 27th September.
Speaking during the visit, Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka described Lagos as blessed with 183 kilometres of beachfront along the Atlantic Ocean, stretching to the Badagry creeks, noting that these remain untapped treasures capable of competing with global tourist hotspots.
“This year, the Ministry is spotlighting Lagos beaches. With the right infrastructure and sustainable investments, our beaches can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with international resorts like Cancun and the Maldives. We are determined to transform them into world-class destinations that not only attract tourists but also empower our people,” she said.
The Commissioner emphasised the State Government’s plans to upgrade infrastructure, strengthen security, and expand ferry transportation for easy accessibility to Tarkwa Bay.
She also announced capacity-building programmes to empower youths in the community as lifeguards, tour guides, and coastal guards as a way of ensuring safety while creating employment opportunities for residents of the area.
Benson-Awoyinka further highlighted the importance of collaboration with local residents, stressing that their active involvement in environmental management, hospitality, and cultural promotion would be central to sustaining Tarkwa Bay as a tourist destination.
In her remarks, the President of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha commended the Lagos State Government for its proactive interventions, describing the government's interest in upgrading Tarkwa Bay as a strategic step toward repositioning the beach as a preferred destination for both domestic and international visitors.
She reiterated that interventions in infrastructure, transportation, and youth training are critical to the success of the initiative.
The Beach Master of Tarkwa Bay, Mr. Tolulope Bradley also expressed gratitude to the State Government, noting that the community had long awaited such an intervention.
He assured full cooperation of residents in supporting government initiatives, particularly in environmental management, seafood services, and improved safety measures.
The inspection visit also featured discussions on enhancing the beach’s environmental state, electricity supply, availability of local cuisines for tourists, and specialised training for security operatives to ensure proper handling of visitors.
More photos below.
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