By Usen Udoh
What if Akwa Ibom is already becoming a holiday destination—and we simply haven’t paid enough attention?
Consider this.
A friend and board member of my company recently flew from Lagos to Uyo with his family and spent two weeks holidaying alongside two other families at the Ibom Icon Hotel & Golf Resort.
Before returning to Lagos, they went to a local market to buy fish.
They came back excited—with big Ghana-Must-Go bags filled with dried fish.
For people accustomed to Lagos prices, the quantity and affordability were part of the experience.
But the real story was not the fish.
It was the choice of Uyo.
Another friend, now living in Abuja, visited Uyo on business in 2023. The experience stayed with him. He has already booked his family’s Christmas holiday in Uyo.
Then came an even stronger signal.
I recently learnt of two families from Abia, with no ties to Akwa Ibom, who chose Uyo for their wedding ceremonies. Both the bride and groom flew in from London.
Think about that.
People are beginning to choose Akwa Ibom for experiences—not merely because they have relatives here.
That is how destinations emerge.
AND THEN THERE IS THE AKWA IBOM BEYOND UYO
I have spent part of my holidays in Uyo almost every year since 2021.
The attraction is obvious: it is relatively quiet, clean, organised and welcoming.
But my recent experience in Ikot Abasi made me look at the destination differently.
I spent about a week there and found the town remarkably tranquil—clean, unhurried and blessed with a gentle coastal breeze.
If money were no object, I could imagine having a holiday home there.
And I have travelled widely across Nigeria.
For me, only three places have created that particular feeling: Ikot Abasi, Ibeno and Jos.
My Lagos friend had his own discovery.
He was impressed by the Golf Resort, but what really captivated him was Ibeno Beach and the journey there.
He could hardly believe the quality and cleanliness of the road for much of the route.
These experiences point to something bigger.
AKWA IBOM HAS THE RAW MATERIALS OF A DESTINATION
Peace.
Good roads.
Clean cities and towns.
Beaches.
Coastal communities.
Golf.
Culture and heritage.
Food.
Hotels and resorts.
An international airport.
A homegrown airline connecting the state to major Nigerian cities.
And perhaps most importantly, places where people can escape the noise and simply slow down.
That is a tourism asset.
In fact, in a world where many people are desperately searching for peace, space and authentic experiences, tranquillity may become one of Akwa Ibom’s most valuable tourism products.
THE TOURISM ECONOMY MAY ALREADY BE EMERGING
We don’t necessarily need to invent the demand.
It is already appearing.
Lagos families are coming to Uyo.
Abuja families are planning holidays here.
People are discovering Ibeno.
Visitors are falling in love with Ikot Abasi.
Couples are choosing Uyo for destination weddings.
Business travellers are returning for leisure.
That is the beginning of destination loyalty.
The opportunity before Akwa Ibom is to recognise this movement and deliberately build around it.
Not by overdeveloping every beach.
Not by turning every quiet community into another commercial strip.
Not by destroying the character that makes these places attractive.
But by protecting the experience while improving the infrastructure around it.
Package the attractions.
Connect the destinations.
Improve visitor information.
Strengthen hospitality.
Support local tourism businesses.
Create compelling itineraries.
Market Akwa Ibom beyond Akwa Ibom.
And tell the story consistently.
Because a destination is not created by infrastructure alone.
It is created when people begin to dream about going there.
Imagine a family in Lagos asking:
«“Where are we spending Christmas this year?”»
And someone answers:
«“Akwa Ibom.”»
Uyo.
Ibeno.
Ikot Abasi.
Or one of the many places still waiting to be discovered.
That future is not as distant as we think.
Destination Akwa Ibom is already taking shape.
The question is whether we will recognise the opportunity early enough—and develop it wisely enough to preserve the very qualities that brought visitors here in the first place.
AKWA IBOM: COME FOR THE EXPERIENCE. STAY FOR THE PEACE. RETURN FOR THE FEELING.
Usenudoh is a
Tourism Development Advocate and Destination Developer & Manager
With contribution from Mr Michael Ukpong a renowned airport development consultant and Tourism enthusiast
