SEC-S17W6: "Tourism in My Country"

Hello everyone, I am @meeky3.
Am so happy participating and writing this contest🤩.

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My country Nigeria is a country rich in cultural heritage, natural wonders, and incredible destinations waiting to be explored. In this contest, I will be discussing two of my country’s most popular tourist attraction centers and also what makes them so popular and attractive to tourists.

One of Nigeria's valued tourist sites is the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, located in Osun state, Nigeria. This thick ancient forest is regarded as one of the last remnants of the oldest high forests in the present Nigeria. Embedded in this forest are over 400 species of trees, plants and wildflowers growing with vibrant life.
What makes Osun-Osogbo so special is its sacred spiritual significance as a Yoruba cultural heritage site. Shrines, sanctuaries and sculpted artwork spread-out through the landscape of this ancient forest, devoted to Osun - the Yoruba goddess of fertility and water. For centuries, its greenery and mystical river have been kept and honoured as a sacred place of worship.

Another amazing tourist center I will be discussing about is the Obudu Mountain Resort in Cross River state. Situated at over 5,000 feet on the breathtaking Okurkamu plateau, this resort delivers breath-taking views and sights, while overlooking these ancient hills that look so beautiful.

The most attractive part of this amazing tourist center is the luxurious eco-friendly resort itself, built in traditional Nigerian architecture with thatched roofs and bamboo sticks. Guests can enjoy the comfort of modern amenities like cable TV and swimming pool, while having a good time in one of Nigeria's most attractive and fascinating serene areas.

Do foreign tourists visit these spots? What special facilities are there for them?

Yes, both Osun-Osogbo and Obudu Mountain Resort attract visitors from around the globe drawn and attracted to their natural beauty and cultural richness. Having been designated and recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage sites, they offer great accommodations for international tourists.

At the Sacred Grove, visitors can take guided walking tours with the English guide-boards and tour brochures explaining the spiritual significance of different shrines and artwork.
One of my favorite services of Obudu Mountain Resort is their shuttle services from the local airport and has multi-lingual staff at its hotels, restaurants, and recreational centers. They also have cool features like golf courses, nightclubs, craft and artwork markets give guests a full luxury experience while having a good time in this thrilling environment.

While these tourist centers have the basic facilities, some areas could use improvements to promote them to world-class recognition. Having more materials (tour brochures), apps and audio tours translated into other major languages like French, Spanish and more could really help foreign guests better understand the value of these attractions.

At the Sacred Grove, evening cinema shows could make the tourists have a good time and also make them understand the value of these attractions. Placing more artwork could beautify areas while educating visitors on local traditions and culture.

I would really appreciate it if the management team of Obudu Mountain Resort could work on their accommodation and service quality to meet the highest international resort standards and recognition. Upscale amenities and VIP packages could attract the luxury traveler crowd. More visibility on global travel sites and influencer marketing could raise its profile and awareness worldwide.

One underrated area of Nigeria I believe could gain attraction as a tourist center is Kuleku Village, located in Kainji Lake National Park. This beautiful community resides entirely on a serene island surrounded by a lot of green plants. Tourists stay in warm mud huts and enjoy themselves in the rhythms of Kuleku's traditional fishermen and farming culture. Activities include fishing, wildlife watching, river canoeing and learning ancestral crafts like weaving or pottery. It offers a rare chance to genuinely experience the heart of rural Nigerian village life.

With the right development and promotion as a special tourist center for serenity and cultural heritage, I could see Kuleku Village becoming a highly recognized tourist center not only by the local tourists, but by foreign tourists.

With nurturing development, the collection of natural treasures of Nigeria- from sacred forests and high mountains to tranquil villages all contain unimaginable potential to attract visitors globally. By continuing to invest in tourism facilities and marketing our natural wonders to the world, we can elevate these amazing tourist centers to truly take their places on the global recognition stage.

Thanks for reading.

I will like to invite @adachukwu, @zekanem, @blessedp