Tourism is no longer simply about visiting places. It is about creating experiences, building destinations, attracting investment, generating employment and converting cultural identity into sustainable economic value.

As Edo State joins the world to commemorate World Tourism Day 2026, the ECOWAS Food & Cultural Festival Nigeria 2026 (EFCF) warmly felicitates with the Edo State Government and the Edo State Tourism Agency (EDSTA) for the growing attention being given to tourism as an important part of the State’s economic future.

This year’s Edo observance, themed “Transforming Tourism in Edo State through Artificial Intelligence and the Orange Economy,” with a road walk from the MOWAA Gate at 8:00 a.m. and a symposium at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) at 12 noon, provides an important platform to examine the future of tourism in Edo.

It is also an opportunity to commend Governor Monday Okpebholo and the leadership of EDSTA for recognising the strategic possibilities of tourism and supporting a conversation that can help position the sector as a stronger contributor to economic diversification.

 

Edo possesses something many destinations spend enormous resources trying to create: authenticity.

The legacy of the Benin Kingdom, the Royal Palace, Igun Street, museums, traditional institutions, arts and crafts, cuisine, festivals and ecological attractions provide the foundations of a compelling destination economy.

The opportunity is to connect these assets into a functioning economic ecosystem.

Visitors require accommodation. They eat in restaurants. They use transportation. They purchase crafts and souvenirs. They visit attractions. They engage tour operators. They attend events and consume entertainment.

Tourism therefore has the potential to generate value far beyond the attraction itself. It can stimulate hospitality, transportation, retail, food production, creative enterprise and investment.

 

EFCF particularly acknowledges the Governor and the tourism leadership for keeping tourism within the conversation about Edo’s economic future.

Governor Okpebholo has identified tourism as a key driver of economic diversification, while EDSTA Director-General Lady Vivian Elabor has highlighted Edo’s heritage, arts, crafts, festivals, ecological attractions and creative industries as assets capable of supporting a competitive tourism economy.

That institutional focus matters.

Tourism does not become a revenue earner simply because a State possesses beautiful places. It becomes an industry when heritage is organised, destinations are marketed, infrastructure is improved, experiences are packaged, visitors are welcomed and private enterprise is connected to opportunity. This is what EFCF is promoting in the ECOWAS Region, hence Edo State’s choice for the 2026 edition.

 

The 2026 theme is therefore timely.

Artificial intelligence can help destinations understand visitors, improve digital marketing, personalise experiences, analyse tourism data, map attractions and strengthen destination management.

The Orange Economy adds another dimension: the economic value of creativity, culture, intellectual property, design, entertainment, food, fashion, music and the arts.

For Edo, these forces can work together:

 

Technology can make Edo more discoverable.

Creativity can make it memorable.

Tourism can convert attention into visitor activity.

Visitor activity can generate economic value.

 

This is where the forthcoming ECOWAS Food & Cultural Festival Nigeria 2026, scheduled for 27–31 October in Benin City, becomes particularly relevant.

EFCF is built around food, culture, tourism, creativity, enterprise and regional connection.

The tourism journey is simple: DISCOVER → EXPERIENCE → RETURN

 

The strongest tourism destinations do not merely tell visitors where to go. They give them a reason to care.

Edo already has the story.

The Benin Kingdom provides historical depth.

Its creative traditions provide expression.

Its cuisine provides flavour.

Its people provide hospitality.

Its cultural institutions provide continuity.

Its emerging tourism infrastructure provides opportunity.

 

As Edo marks World Tourism Day, EFCF looks forward to the next major opportunity to place the State’s cultural and tourism assets before a wider regional audience.

 

WORLD TOURISM DAY CREATES THE CONVERSATION.

EFCF CREATES THE EXPERIENCE.

EDO CREATES THE DESTINATION.

EDO IS THE DESTINATION.

CULTURE IS THE EXPERIENCE.

EFCF IS THE NEXT BIG MOMENT.

ECOWAS FOOD & CULTURAL FESTIVAL NIGERIA 2026

27–31 OCTOBER 2026 | BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

ONE REGION. MANY CULTURES. ONE SHARED FUTURE.