Operators in Nigeria’s multi-billion-naira hospitality industry have urged Government to extend greater support to the sector brand to strengthen their capacity as key drivers of economic growth.
The stakeholders, who acknowledged the need at the just-concluded Hotel Expo Nigeria (HEN) held in Lagos, also appealed to Government to promptly address the issues of insecurity and infrastructure deficit that continue to serve as huge hindrances to the growth of the hospitality sector.
Jonathan Hansen, founder and convener of HEN, believed that it had become important for Government to give brands and operators in the hospitality business the much-needed support since the sector remains one of the largest employer of labour.
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The players explained that one of the objectives behind the annual exhibition of brands in the sector was to create awareness for the sector and provide a platform, annually, for operators to network.
Hansen further expressed delight that the annual event, which made its debut in 2019 with 14 participants had begun to gain popularity among stakeholders, with 65 brands, leveraging the platform this year to network and establish enduring business partnerships.
“Government partnership has not been easy. The only thing that we’ve got is endorsement. This is an industry government should see as a driver of employment creation, since the ecosystem is seen as the highest employer”, he added.
Ntewak Umoh, Hospitality Business and Inventory Management Consultant, believed the exhibition offered vendors the opportunity to come together to provide wide range of businesses that, ordinarily, would have been difficult to access at a spot.
