…..Promises First-Class Culture, Heritage Cuisine as Arinta Waterfalls Takes Centre Stage
By Victor Ogundipe
Ipole-Iloro, host community of the famous Arinta Waterfalls, has declared its readiness to receive visitors and stakeholders for the celebration of World Tourism Day 2026 on Sunday, 27 September 2026.
The Olupole of Ipole-Iloro, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ezekiel Babatola Oladele, JP, said the community was delighted that Arinta Waterfalls had been chosen as the venue for the celebration, describing the development as a major opportunity to project one of Ekiti State’s important natural tourism assets to a wider audience.
The monarch said visitors should expect a rich cultural experience, including traditional performances, local arts, heritage displays, indigenous cuisine and a special Pounded Yam Arena designed to showcase the hospitality and culinary identity of Ipole-Iloro and Ekiti State.
According to him, the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” is particularly relevant to Arinta Waterfalls because modern tourism increasingly depends on digital visibility, online mapping, photography, videography, social media, digital storytelling and emerging technologies.
He said the celebration would provide a practical opportunity to demonstrate how digital tools can be deployed to promote Arinta Waterfalls, improve its visibility and attract more visitors.
Oba Oladele added that the photographs, videos, media reports and digital content expected from the event would continue to promote the destination long after the celebration.
He therefore called on community leaders, youths, women, artisans, food vendors and cultural groups to support the programme and present the best of Ipole-Iloro to visitors.
According to the monarch:
“Ipole-Iloro is ready. Arinta is ready. Our culture is ready. Our food is ready. Our people are ready to welcome the world.”
The World Tourism Day celebration at Arinta Waterfalls is expected to bring together tourism and hospitality operators, digital innovators, students, media practitioners, content creators, youth entrepreneurs, traditional institutions and government stakeholders.
The programme will combine tourism, culture, cuisine, technology and destination promotion in a practical demonstration of how digital innovation can be used to strengthen existing tourism assets and stimulate local economic activity.