Hurray! There is good news. Going to Cross River State to explore all its breathtaking landscape, beautiful nature, great accommodation offers, and the very hospitable people, is now at a click of the computer mouse.
All you need do is log unto www.experincecrossriver.com and you will have unlimited access to the the tourism and hospitality packages on offer at the various destinations across the State from the city life and carnivals of Calabar, the vibrating cultures of Ugep to the wildlife in Afi and Obudu.
Since it was launched in August 2012, the Experience Cross River portal has given many visitors access to the tourism, hospitality products and potential of the state regarded as the jewel of Nigerian tourism and destination marketing.
At just one click, the several accommodation options props up giving you opportunity to chose where to stay and make your visit most memorable in the state. Yet, it comes with discount. The discounts were approved by all the participating hotels under the Cross River State Hoteliers Association as their contribution to the growing tourism in the state.
Besides, the discounted hotel accommodation, the portal gives intending visitors opportunity to choose the best of car hire services from Margret Ekpo International Airport Calabar to any part of the state at discounted rates. Arik Air and Aero Contractors, partners of the portal, offer subsidized fares for the packages on the portal and without them, the destinations will not be as inexpensive as it is at present.
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The over 3000 visitors who visited Cross River State through the portal can witness the very ease access and pocket-friendly bargain they had. For them, it is a deal.
Of course, Remlords Tours and Car Hire Services, the initiator of the portal, is amazed by the feat the portal has achieved so far. Within two years, the over 3000 visitors that visited the state are in themselves agents of mass mobilization, referring others to enjoy Nigeria’s tourism pot by just a click. It is as easy as that.
Nkereuwem Onug, chairman, Remlords Tours and Car Hire Services, believes that while the government has done well in providing the enabling environment for tourism to thrive, it is now left in the hands of the private sector to drive tourism in the state for a sustainable development. Onug thinks it is time private sector do more because its survival depends on the money visitors bring to the state, and effort at wooing more of them is welcomed.
However, Remlords is not resting on this singular 3000 visitors’ feat. It is working harder now to woo over 5000 visitors to the state through the portal this year.
Already, tourism cars and buses are on ground for sightseeing, city breaks and tours, while the initiator is expanding its network of partners. The buses and cars are specially made for tourism as they take visitors around the city on sightseeing, to Obudu and other tourism attractions in the state.
Charles Ogar, chairman, Cross River Hoteliers Association, says the initiative has awoken competiveness and quality among hotels that have partnered in growing the sector that is core to their sustenance in business. So far, the aggressive marketing on the Experience Cross River portal has seen the over 4000 hotel rooms in the state busy with guests, while more hotels are expected to open across the state befor the year runs out.
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