"Making Ekiti state a most attractive destination for relaxation and holidays by building a heliport, world class hotel and accommodation facilities; developing Efon, Okemesi, Ikogosi, Ipole-Iloro tourism corridor" Tourism Development is seventh (7) in the eight (8)-Point Agenda of His Excellency Governor Fayemi's administration."

The tourism objective of this administration is to make Ekiti State one of the leading tourism destinations in Nigeria. When the present government came on board, it realized that the tourism sector in Ekiti State was non-existent and superficial. In spite of the fact that the state is blessed with many tourism potentials, no meaningful step was taken by past administrations to develop the tourism sector of the state. Facilities at the only available tourist site in Ekiti State, the Ikogosi Warm Spring were found to have deteriorated due to neglect leading to low patronage. What should be a pride for all Ekiti indigenes has become a big embarrassment to us all. To underscore the importance attached to the tourism sector by the Kayode Fayemi administration, a new Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism was created immediately for the state in accordance with the practice in tourism-friendly states.

A substantive Commissioner was appointed for the ministry while an experienced professional was appointed as Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism Development. This was followed by the provision of budgetary allocation for tourism development in the 2011 reviewed budget by Governor Kayode Fayemi, who promised to match the budgetary provision with cash backing unlike what happened in the past when funds were allocated to the tourism sector for years but no single kobo was released to the sector. A capital vote of N146million was provided in the 2011 Budget for tourism development. Ekiti State is blessed with many tourist sites, many of which are yet to be explored and developed. The present government believes that if the tourist sites are developed, they are capable of generating billions of Naira for the state annually. The government has therefore decided to partner with the private sector to fully develop the tourism potentials of the state so as to generate substantial revenue for government, create employment opportunities and alleviate poverty at the grassroots.

To launch Ekiti State into economic prosperity, tapping the huge revenue in the tourism sector, the government has resolved to take the following steps among others:
Organise a tourism summit to bring all tourism stakeholders together to discuss socioeconomic benefits of tourism of Ekiti and map out the way forward on how to utilize the potentials for economic development of the state.

1. Increase and release budgetary provisions for tourism development.
2. Launch a Tourism Development Trust Fund for the state.
3. Embrace the private sector to drive the tourism development programmes.
4. Pursuing aggressive marketing strategies to promote Ekiti tourism assets locally and internationally.

To kick-start the tourism development revolution, Dr. Kayode Fayemi gave approval to the opening up of the Arinta Waterfalls, Ipole-Iloro as an attraction destination and provide employment to some unemployed in the state. The tourist site, which is one of the few waterfalls in Nigeria, had not received any attention from any past government in the state since its creation in 1996, in spite of the fact that tourists, both local and foreign, troop to the site every day without paying any kobo to government. Realising the economic potentials of the waterfalls, Dr. Fayemi immediately gave approval for funds to the State Tourism Board to begin the construction of the first phase of the development of the tourist site, which has been completed. It consists of a befitting revenue office, gate/gate house, security fencing and erection of five relaxation huts for the use of tourist at the waterfalls.

Government has also shifted attention to the neglected Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, where experts are now working on how to develop the centre to international standards, capable of hosting local and international conferences, retreats and meetings. The resort development which will be promoted and sponsored by the Kayode Fayemi Administration through the new Tourism development drive will be professionally revamped/rehabilitated and opened up to acceptable standards, thereafter positioned to attract and receive attention from strategic investors and partnerships through the Public- Private-Partnership scheme, leading to an international business and leisure destination with modern facilities, such as heliport, 18-hole golf course, canopy walk, family arcades and other sporting facilities.

Also, the tourism belt of the state, from Ikogosi to Ipole-Iloro, down to Efon- Alaaye and Okemesi Hills is currently receiving government attention with the commencement surveys and assessments, conducts of tourism markets research in the state as well as other community based Tourism initiatives which will be launched shortly.

Among the plans of government for the next nine months in the area of tourism are the following:

• the rehabilitation, reinstatement and management operation of the Ikogosi warm springs and resorts assets,
• positioning Tourism as a catalyst and driver for the economic development of the State,
• the environmental transformation of the state capital (Ado Ekiti) to a clean and green State capitalcity,
• integrate the Host communities in the new Tourism development drive,
• Facilitate stakeholder's strategic partnership and participation towards achieving expected quality services consistently in the hospitality industry.

The government is also determined to develop and commence the implementation of the Tourism Master plan and Blueprint for Ekiti State during this period.