Obudu Ranch Resort fast becoming a tourists, investors delight

EBERE CHIBUZOR, in this piece reports that Obudu Ranch Resort, with cable cars, waterfalls, holy mountain, water parks, etc, is not only capable of enticing tourists but investors as well

Each year, the Obudu Ranch Resort in Cross River State attracts a huge number of tourists and fun seeker from far and near in search of a serene ambience to explore wondrous nature in a more outstanding way.

Not even the bad conditions of some of the roads linking the resort could deter the people trooping to the place for holidaying.

Some of the tourism facilities at the resort are the longest canopy walkway in Africa, cable cars, waterfalls, holy mountain, water parks, a ranch and natural weather.

Special Adviser to Cross River State Government on Obudu Ranch Resort, Bobby Ekpenyong, urged Nigerians to visit the resort and experience nature at its best.

He said that Obudu remains a potential currency earner of the country.

He revealed this during Naija Seven Wonder virtual session, recently organised by AKWAABA Africa Travel and Tourism Market.

According to him, its facilities are all sited within the resort in a natural environment flourishing with beautification.

As it currently stands, these facilities uniquely position Obudu Ranch Resort a tourism destination like no other in the country.

And due to these features, the tourism destination is said to remain one of the most engaging tourism sites in Nigeria.

Ekpenyong assured tourists of good security, maintaining that Obudu Ranch Resort is the best attraction to visit at this critical period of COVID-19 pandemic, as the state had recorded minimal cases of the viral spread.

“Obudu Ranch Resort is a naturally endowed tourist attraction where tourists can meditate seamlessly, with beautiful ambience.

“We have different kinds of crops growing graciously like potatoes and rare flowers due to the weather; it is a site to behold. The resort can be approached through Calabar township, Enugu and Ebonyi states and there are 165 comfortable rooms with several chalets for tourists to lodge.

“People are advised to acquire land at the resort to build their personal houses due to the serene nature of the place. We have a zero crime rate in Cross River State and have recorded minimal cases of coronavirus, which makes it safe for whoever wants to tour or make the place their abode.”

He also stressed that Governor Ayade was committed to the growth of the resort as plans were on top gear to fix the bad adjourning roads to the place in spite of the fact that they are federal roads.

He said the governor had also taken steps to ensure the resort enjoy independent power supply, which would be actualised soon.

“Power supply has been the greatest challenge at the resort and now there is electricity from 6pm through 8am. This is because the guests would go out for site seeing and it is highly consumable while running on generator.

“Meanwhile, Ayade is set to bring some technologies 24-hour power supply into the ranch. We need a massive generator to beef up the light.”

He encouraged Nigerian tour operators to market the tourist attraction as they would be well compensated for it.

Talking on occupancy, he stated, “We have experienced huge guests because we have been doing a lot in marketing before the COVID-19. We have been experiencing full occupancy and the sales have been huge also. The situation is that the resort can be fully booked anytime, and I’m appealing to the prospecting guests to always call for booking prior visiting.”

According to Ekpenyong, from the foot of the mountain, there is a safety driver to drive the guests up.

“It is a forest and we cannot really say the animal to see at the resort. It is a natural environment, and these animals have been experienced human invasion for years now.

“Our helipads are functional but the guests have to get a fly permit. The Presidential Vila is exclusive for presidents of different countries of the world and has to be highly secured.”

On Corporate Social Responsibility, the Cross River State Government has just introduced social housing scheme for the aboriginal people of the land.

Ekpenyong urged Nigerians to disregard any negative story about the resort they may read on social media platforms, as most of the stories were false.

The event provided an easy way to watch tourism and travel actors, particularly at a time when one cannot really have much crowd around.