The Cross River State Tourism Bureau (CRSTB) has commenced a strategic partnership with Nugi Technologies (Nugitech), a software development and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions company, to advance the digital transformation of the state’s tourism and hospitality sector.
The partnership follows a strategic engagement between the management of the Bureau and the Nugitech team on October 7, 2026. It is designed to deploy technology-driven solutions that will strengthen hospitality regulation, improve service delivery, enhance tourism data management and position Cross River State as a more competitive and accessible tourism destination.
The collaboration aligns with the vision of the Managing Director of the Bureau, Mr. John Atsu, to modernise the Bureau’s operations, strengthen institutional efficiency and establish a more structured, accountable and standards-driven hospitality industry across the state.
A major component of the partnership is the digitisation of the Bureau’s Standards and Licensing operations. Through customised digital solutions, the Bureau will improve the assessment, documentation and monitoring of hotels, restaurants, eateries and other hospitality establishments.
The partnership will also facilitate the integration of the Bureau into Nugitech’s existing My Cross River App, an integrated digital platform developed to connect residents, visitors, businesses and government institutions with relevant information and services across the state.
Through this integration, tourists and prospective visitors will have improved access to information on tourism attractions, registered hospitality establishments, restaurants, events, tour operators and other tourism-related services. The platform is expected to make it easier for visitors to discover, plan and access experiences across Cross River State.
Another key area of collaboration is the digitisation of tourism data collection. The Bureau will leverage technology to establish a continuous data collection and reporting framework, providing more reliable and up-to-date information to support tourism planning, policy formulation, destination marketing and investment decisions.
The proposed digital ecosystem will also support the development and promotion of tourism packages in collaboration with licensed tour operators, while improving the online visibility and accessibility of the state’s tourism sites and attractions.
In a further move to enhance the visitor experience, the Bureau and Nugitech will explore digital solutions for organising and improving tourist transportation services in Calabar. The initiative will initially consider the identification and registration of approximately 20-30 well-maintained vehicles to provide visitors with more reliable and professional transportation options.
Speaking on the collaboration, the Managing Director of the Bureau, Mr. John Atsu, emphasised that technology is central to the Bureau’s strategy for transforming the tourism industry.
He noted that making Calabar Nigeria’s preferred weekend destination requires more than promoting attractions and events; it demands a comprehensive improvement in the quality of hospitality services, transportation, visitor information and the overall destination experience.
According to him, the Bureau is committed to building a tourism ecosystem where hospitality establishments are properly assessed, tourism information is readily accessible, operators are encouraged to maintain high standards and visitors can enjoy a seamless experience throughout their stay in Cross River State.
On its part, Nugitech, represented at the engagement by Ms. Ajoke Akinlabi, expressed its readiness to customise and integrate the necessary digital modules to address the operational requirements of the Bureau, leveraging its existing technology infrastructure.
The proposed solution will comprise a dedicated website and a mobile application, with the website providing a central access point for tourism information, hospitality services, regulatory activities, data collection and other relevant digital services.
The Cross River State Tourism Bureau views this partnership as an important step towards building a digitally enabled tourism industry that meets evolving visitor expectations, creates opportunities for hospitality businesses, attracts private-sector investment and strengthens the state’s position in Nigeria’s tourism market.
Through innovation, strategic partnerships and improved service standards, the Bureau remains committed to making Destination Cross River a preferred choice for tourists, investors and visitors.
