The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the BRACED Tourism Promotion and Development Initiative (BTPDI), Piriye Kiyaramo, has called on journalists covering the tourism sector to intensify efforts in showcasing the vast tourism potential of the Niger Delta region.
Kiyaramo made the call during the inauguration of the Steering Committee of the Rivers State chapter of the Travel Writers Corps, held at its secretariat along Ikwerre Road in Port Harcourt.
He emphasised that travel writers play a vital role in shaping destination marketing and influencing public perception. However, he expressed concern that practitioners have not done enough in recent times to highlight the region’s rich tourism assets through compelling storytelling.
According to him, the Niger Delta is endowed with natural attractions and cultural heritage that remain largely underreported. He noted that ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Port Harcourt Ring Road, the Trans-Kalabari Highway, and the Bonny Island link road could serve as major tourism landmarks if properly promoted.
Kiyaramo, who also serves as National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria, urged members of the Travel Writers Corps to strengthen collaboration and reposition themselves as key promoters of tourism development.
He stressed the importance of unity among practitioners, noting that collective effort would yield better results in promoting destinations than individual efforts.
“As destination marketers, success begins with self-promotion, which is more effective when done collectively. There is strength in unity, and this is crucial for repositioning the sector,” he said.
The veteran journalist further highlighted the critical role of travel writers in driving demand within the tourism industry by producing engaging content such as destination guides, feature articles, and curated travel lists that influence travellers’ choices.
He explained that such content goes beyond advertising by offering deeper insights into culture, cuisine, and local experiences, thereby creating meaningful connections with potential visitors.
Kiyaramo also underscored the role of travel writers in promoting sustainable tourism practices, encouraging responsible travel behaviour, and preserving cultural and environmental assets.
He added that, despite changes brought about by digital media, the core responsibility of travel writers remains unchanged-providing credible, authentic, and inspiring content that attracts visitors.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the South-South Travel Writers Corps, Akpekwu Imbufe, said the chapter had previously implemented several community-based tourism initiatives before the expiration of its last leadership.
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He noted that the inauguration of the new committee signals a renewed drive to revitalise the organisation’s activities in the state.
Also speaking, George Ehulonu Ehule, a lecturer at Rivers State University and protem secretary of the committee, expressed readiness to collaborate with stakeholders to advance tourism through storytelling.
Similarly, Chidi Waltson, publisher of “Rivers Today” and protem treasurer, pledged to contribute her experience toward strengthening the corps.
The newly inaugurated steering committee has been given 30 days to develop a framework for membership expansion, agenda setting, and content development.
