LAGOS MINISTRY OF TOURISM ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN HOSPITALITY SECTOR

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At a session held on Thursday at the Eko Hotels and Suites, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture engaged stakeholders in the hospitality industry on the need for cooperation and collaboration on emerging trends and new challenges in the sector.

In her address at the session, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs.Toke Benson-Awoyinka said the engagement is designed to discuss critical issues, emerging trends like digital transformation, eco-tourism, personalised customer experiences which are ingredients needed to stay ahead of trends to remain competitive and relevant while harnessing opportunities within the industry

“This gathering is long overdue, considering happenings in the sector and the need to always share views on how to improve and operate in line with acceptable best practices”, she said.

The Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Government to creating an enabling environment for the sector to thrive and it is the reason the policy frameworks of government are being continually reviewed to ensure they support growth, innovation and sustainability.

Furthermore, she informed that top government officials and heads of agencies, from safety to environment and parking management, whose mandates relate to the sector have been invited to share their thoughts on synergy for a better hospitality sector. Benson-Awoyinka, therefore, urged the stakeholders to curb drug usage, vices and other environmental nuisances in their operations.

“The sanctity and safety of your establishment also come into focus, drugs, vices and environmental nuisances play a major role and, as such must be curbed to make Lagos a destination of choice and enhance the status of the City as a ‘Live, Work and Play’ environment”, the Commissioner stated.

On his part, Mr. Lanre Mojola, General Manager, Lagos State Safety Commission, emphasised that safety remained key in the hospitality industry, saying “Operators must build a system and facility that is safe”.

While calling on operators to take the lead role by demonstrating their commitment to the safety of tourists to foster zero accidents, injuries and fatalities, Mojola said, “There must be a system in place to take away all risks. All facilities must be safety-compliant, and this begins with each one of us. Safety is a collective thing, and we must put on our safety caps”.

Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu, General Manager, Lagos State Parking Authority, said that hotels and restaurants must have adequate parking space in their facilities, stressing the need for all practitioners to be responsible in all things park-related.

She stated that the Agency was not created to disrupt the tourism business but to ensure businesses do not infringe on the rights of others.

Also speaking, the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Tunde Ajayi warned hospitality operators to desist from encouraging noise pollution in their hotels, clubs and restaurants.

Ajayi advised the operators to put soundproofing in their hospitality facilities to guide against noise pollution, adding that the essence of the soundproofing was to ensure that noise did not filter out to disturb individuals in the area.

In conclusion, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Oloruntoyin Atekoja thanked the Panellists which included the Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa; The Special Adviser on Tax, Mr. Abdul Kabir Ogungbo and the Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Ayodele Subair for the insights shared on the different topics.

She also appreciated the stakeholders for turning up in large numbers and their continued cooperation with the Ministry.