- Background
- Tourism
- To promote responsible and community-based tourism so that the local communities will enjoy increased socio-economic activities.
- To promote and market Bayelsa State as an ideal choice for holiday makers within and outside Nigeria.
- To place the state on a pathway for sustainable tourism development.
- To promote cultural links that will encourage our cultural integration and growth.
- To assist in building a virile, strong state and nurture local cultures so that they will enrich the tourism experience and build pride and confidence among local communities.
- Beaches
Bayelsa state has the longest (about 180 km) coastline in Nigeria, with some of the most beautiful and enchanting natural beaches. These are located in Okpoama, Twon Brass, Sangana and Agge. - Oloibiri Oil Museum
- Turtle Beach
One of nature’s wonders is located at Turtle Beach in Akassa, in the Brass local government area. The beach is home to thousands of turtles – a sight to behold. - Lakes of Bayelsa
- Cultural Heritage Sites
- Cultural Festivals
There are a variety of unique festivals that take place throughout the State. Popular examples include the Odi Ogoriba festival, the Seigbein fishing festivals of Amassoma and Odoni, the Odemimon festival of Otueke, Uge Adiafa festival, Okelede New Yam festival, and many more. - Bayelsa Food and Cuisine
The people of Bayelsa State have developed peculiar, yet healthy, fares and foods that are enjoying massive popularity across the nation. Pepper soup, keke fiyai (KKF), boiled or roasted plantain, spiced barbecued fish and yellow soup are some of our specialities. - Bayelsa African Cultural Festival, AMAA, MBGN, CAAN and Bayelsa International Jazz Festival
In April 2014, the State organised its maiden edition of Bayelsa Cultural festival. Last year, in its effort to drive the process of promoting tourism in the State the Agency, in partnership with the private sector, engaged in major tourism events in the capital Yenagoa. - Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA)
The private sector funded event included cultural events such as a boat regatta, cultural dances and traditional wrestling. - Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant (MBGN)
The Agency in association with the Silverbird Productions Group organised the MBGN pageant in July 2013. - Caribbean African American Nations (CAAN) Music Award
We have delved into music awards together with the Silverbird Productions Group. It was a fun-filled event that attracted much international attention. - Centenary Beauty Pageant
As part of the programme marking the centenary celebration of Nigeria’s amalgamation by the British Government, the State government in collaboration with AOE Events organised the pageant in Yenagoa. - Bayelsa International Jazz Festival
This festival, organised by the Agency in December 2013, struck the right cord for entertainment lovers and was a huge success.
The Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency was established in 2012 as part of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson’s policy of developing the local tourism sector.
The main objectives of the agency include:
VISION
To promote and market a new Bayelsa State that is an ideal choice for a holiday both for local and international tourists.
MISSION
Working to create an enabling environment for the development of a competitive and sustainable tourism destination.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
The people of Bayelsa State are highly talented in arts and crafts. They harvest different items from the forest and the ocean to create beautiful artefacts for decoration and fashion. Our people also engage in canoe carving and cane furniture making. Marketing opportunities exist for all these items both locally and internationally.
TOURISM SITES
As a state located along the coastline, nature has abundantly endowed us with incredible and magnificent natural eco-tourism and cultural heritage sites.
o Lake Efi, Sabagria
o Oxbow Lake, Yenagoa
o Lake Okao, Toru Orua
o Ogidigan Deity, Nembe
o Mungo Park Residence, Brass
o King Ochiya Mingi Vii Palace, Nembe
o Chief Christopher Iwowari’s Mausoleum, Nembe
o Akassa Slave Tunnel, Akassa
o Akassa Lighthouse, Akassa
o Whiteman’s Grave, Brass and Akassa
o Isaac Boro Monument, Kaiama
These cultural festivals provide an avenue to display our cultural dances, boat regattas, masquerades, poetry citations, football competitions, wrestling competitions and several other entertainment events.
MAJOR TOURISM EVENTS
The Agency is producing a calendar of events for 2014, populated by both new and existing events.