By Frank Ulom
The Government of Cross River State has stated that all hotels in Calabar, the state capital have been booked ahead of the Carnival Calabar and Festival.
This was disclosed by Governor Bassey Otu on Sunday 10 December 2023 during the third and final Dry Run of the Carnival Calabar.
Otu said the State has concluded preparations for the 2023 edition of the carnival, adding that “the booking of all hotels in Calabar was an indication that tourists and fun seekers are ready for an adventure of a lifetime at Africa’s biggest street party.”
He said the State is ready to host the tourism world while welcoming tourists and visitors across the world to the 2023 Carnival Calabar, pointing out that their time in the State will avail them the opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of Calabar as the real tourism destination in Nigeria.
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The Governor explained that the theme of this year’s carnival, “Season of Sweetness,” captures all other themes of the celebration from its inception, in 2004.
“After a tough season comes a period where people will smile, and this represents that season.
“This particular theme came as a result of almost all the other themes which capture the carnival from inception.
“After COVID-19, there was a total breakdown and people were so disillusioned.
“After that, the Carnival has been trying to pick up and never really picked up.
“Whether people like it it not, after a season of very tough situation, hunger and other things there will actually come a season where people are going to smile and fortunately this is that season and people are going to smile,” Governor Otu said.
The final dry run was attended by High Chief Edem Duke, former Minister of Culture and Tourism, and a host of others.