The current security challenge across Northern Nigeria is affecting the tourism industry in Abuja with hotels recording low patronage, the Hotel Owners Forum (HOFA), has said. The chairman of HOFA, Oniefiok Ekong, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja that the situation had caused the relocation of events from Abuja to other states in the country. “Because of the current security situation in the north, the industry is recording low patronage; the security situation has affected the industry as most events are no longer held in Abuja. “They are being relocated to other countries and sometimes to the southern part of Nigeria, when people are not coming to Abuja; it is the hotels that suffer. “When there are no activities why will somebody come to Abuja knowing that Abuja is a place people come for either conferences or government contracts,’’ he said. Mr. Ekong, however, commended government for the steps being taken to address the challenge, saying: “we believe that very soon the future of the industry in the area will turn around for the better. “We are happy that government has taken some positive steps toward curtailing the high level of insecurity,’’ Mr. Ekong added. He appealed to visitors and tourists to continue patronising hotels in Abuja, adding that adequate security measure has been put in place to ensure safety of lives and property. Mr. Ekong called for understanding between the state and local councils to avoid the issue of multiple taxations in the industry, adding that only one agency of government should be charged with the responsibility of regulating the activities of the tourism industry. “All that we are saying is that, only one agency should regulate tourism, following the High Court judgement in the case involving the NTDC and the Lagos State Government; it is the states that are in control”, he said. (NAN)
Posted on: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 17:40:09 +0000
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