An array of high profile speakers
and stakeholder who participated at the 2015 edition of the Nigeria Hotel &
Tourism Investment Conference have charged both government and private sector
on more concerted efforts at making the tourism and hospitality sector count in
the Nigerian economy.
At the conference, which held from
November 25-27, 2015 at Intercontinental Hotel Lagos, the speakers noted that
now is the right time to show more commitment and action at diversifying the
Nigerian economy and using tourism as a sure alternative to oil, especially now
that the global oil price is falling.
As expected three-day conference
went beyond paper presentation to offering veritable platforms for networking,
interaction and exchanges among participants who were eager to learn new,
discover new trends and also implement resolutions arrived at the conference
for the growth of their businesses.
From the first paper entitled:
Macro-Economic Overview, Sam Ohuabunwa, founder, SOFEE, thoroughly explore the
country's economic outlook, giving insight to would-be investors on how to go
about their
investments across the country and also meeting their expected
investment objectives.
Placing the country against the rest
of the world, Ohuabunwa noted that despite the challenges of doing business in
the country, Nigeria is still an investment heaven because of the high return
on investment.
However, the picture became clearer
when Trevor Ward, managing director, W Hospitality Group, exposed the growth
and investment potential of the Nigerian hotel and tourism market. Ward gave
detailed study on the hospitality hot spots, supply gaps and key segments with
potential growth which would-be investors should look out for among others.
Moreover, Ward's figure-based
presentation was more convincing and enlightening as questions that followed
later reflected the gray areas that bother must investors.
Also Laura Alakija, managing
associate, Sterling Partnership, assured the participants and would-be
investors the safety of the investment with her presentation on the Regulatory
Framework in Nigeria: How can this be made easier for investors.
From the government perspective,
Cross River State Carnival Commission led by Gab Onah, the chairman, unveiled
the efforts at making the state the foremost tourism destination in West
Africa.
Onah noted that over time, the state
has grown its craft, skills and even passion that have sustained the carnival,
and other related businesses. also speaking, Justina Ovat, principal
consultant, Calabar Hospitality House Limited, noted that the increasing
traffic to the state, especially during festive season, offers limitless
opportunities for more investments hotels, resorts, tours and related
businesses. Moderated by Obinna Emelike, tourism, editor of BusinessDay, the
Cross River State session at the conference ended with a formal invitation by
Onah to the audience to participate in this year's carnival.
There were other sessions featuring
paper presentations on topical issues affecting the industry. The likes of
Andrew McLachlan, vice president, Carlson Rezidor, Mark Martinovic, CEO, Hotel
Partners Africa, Samuel Alabi, legal adviser, Eko Hotel and Suites, Rosana
Forsuelo, provost, Wavecrest College of Hospitality among others enlightened
the audience with their various paper presentations that truly made the
conference worth participating.
credit http://allafrica.com/stories/201512020107.html
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