GRADING OF HOTELS WILL ENHANCE COMPETITION - HOLLOWAY Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Inter- Governmental Relations, Mr. Disun Holloway has declared that the on-going hotel classification and grading will generate healthy competition in the hospitality sector. Holloway made this assertion during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Ministry for General Managers of Hotels in the State at the Eko Hotels and Suites recently. According to the Commissioner, the exercise will not only provide a database for planning, research and development, it will give visitors the opportunity to make choices. Holloway said, “One of the reasons that may have informed your choice of hotel could be the size of your pocket. This will help you determine whether you want to stay in a one or five star hotel. We on our part have decided to grade hotels and classify them according to their different status.” He opined that the introduction of grading will also create a lot of competition among the various hotels. Stressing that it will also help introduce market efficiency in the industry, Holloway reiterated the present administration’s determination to sanitize the hospitality sector and make it more viable. He added that Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) inaugurated two committees, Hotel Grading and Classification Ratification and Appeal Committees in order to award star ratings for the establishments. Pointing out that the exercise is not optional for operators, he added that a legal frame work for this purpose is already in place. On the issue of harmonization of taxes, the Commissioner assured the General Managers that government has already set in motion plans to eliminate issues of double taxation in the industry. Holloway while calling on operation of outlets that are yet to fully comply with the state hotel licensing laws, maintained government is determined to ensure a good working relationship with practitioners in the industry. He explained that a 96 - page brochure on Lagos is underway while Government is creating destination such as its partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Centre, Lekki, to make it a picnic park; the freedom park, which is already completed, and the annual Black Heritage Week scheduled for 14th-21st April, and the rehabilitation of the old Apapa Amusement Park. The Commissioner solicited for the support of the stakeholders in its drive to ensure proper standards are maintained in all hospitality industry. Top officials such mark Lexley of Southern Sun Hotel, Simon Grindrod of Wheatbaker Hotel, Anna Ajose of Radisson Blu and Danny Kiopouroglou of Eko Hotels and Suites, Bogoshi Matala of Federal Place Hotel, Pieter Bekker of Protea Hotels and Desmond Majekodunmi who represented Legacy 1995. A similar meeting was held with members of the Hotel Association of Nigeria, Fast Food Operators and Hotel and Personal Services Employers’ Association of Nigeria.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 07:25:39 +0000
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