Festival tourism as a factor of international and cultural tourism development has been identified as a core instrument for significant tourism flows to, among other social and economic benefits, enhance greater tourism experience, international trade and income, either by itself or by complimenting other tourist products.
Kogi is famous for its tourism potentials. Some of the tourist attractions in the state include the Azad’s palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland; colonial relics, such as Lord Lugard House, Mount Patti, World War Cenotaph; the Confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue; Obagogo Hill, Kabba and the Inikpi statute at Idah, among others.
According to him, holding and developing the tradition of cultural events are products of creativity. Festivals are an important aspect of event research and are of particular interest to scholars from many disciplines because of the versatility and popularity of the festivals. Speaking further, Orebiyi said: “Considering cultural tourism as a symbiosis of economy and culture, we should emphasize that it contemplates not only knowledge of the cultural heritage of tourist destinations, but also inclusion of a tourist into a modern cultural environment. Festivals and holidays can simulate an effective technology for influencing the formation of consumer consciousness.
“Great festivals in Kogi can be the events that take place once or several times a year, last a limited amount of time and provide participants with social opportunities that go beyond the ordinary.