By Jimoh Babatunde

THE hospitality sub sector of the tourism industry in Nigeria is hopeful that the second half of this year  will be better because of the renewed hope in the country’s economy after the last general election. The hospitality sector had it so rough last year because of the Ebola and security issues that plagued the country as well as the heightened fear about the last elections in the country.

Mark Loxley, Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel’s GM with some guests at a cocktail in the hotel.

Speaking with Vanguard recently, the General manager,  Southern Sun hotel, Ikoyi,  Mark Loxley, hoteliers  are optimistic in terms of the new government as  people are looking forward to coming back to Nigeria, and  that the economic drive outside  the oil and gas is giving more hope.

While noting that it has been challenging starts this year because of delayed elections and the fall in oil price,  Loxley said  everybody is looking forward to strong economy climate.

He said the lesson   last year’s experience of Ebola and security challenges taught him and others in the industry is that they can do better in attracting Nigerians to travel within the country as a way of supporting the industry  when there is fall in foreign patronage.

“Last year was tough in terms of security and Ebola,  what that has taught us is that we can do  better to attract Nigerians during lean period to support our business when there is fall in foreign patronage .

He advised the larger tourism industry  to support the agriculture industry in terms of getting their supplies from local farmers  instead of importing, “the more we can buy locally, the more cost effective and support we give to  local people. We can also entice people through domestic tourism development.”

Mark Loxley said looking at the  fragile nature of the nation in terms of fuel scarcity, security, the factors impact  and the impact on their  business, he said  security is paramount and the challenge is to operate in safe environment. While commending the Lagos state government for the way it handled the Ebola case in the state last year, he explained that security is a matter that applies to hotels anywhere in the world as shown by the unfortunate incident in Tunisia recently or that of  Nairobi two years ago.

He explained that the realization of that fact made the hotel to pay attention to guests security and that they are happy working with the local police in the area they operate. Loxley added that the recent grading of hotels the Lagos state government is good for the industry  as the grading will help in regulation of the industry  in terms in operating in accordance with international standard as well as  help in marketing.

He disclosed that Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel has been graded a four star hotel and prayed that the grading continues with a proper grading council put in place by the government.

Loxley said with grading over, that the hotel will take stock of its business profile by raising the game to meet up with various marketing segments as well as seek new business. “We need to pay more attention to local events, sporting events and remain in alliance with sporting events in Lagos state as well as seek for more new business.”

Increase inoccupancy

He promised that the standards of the hotel will be maintained as the sector is becoming more competitive in Lagos state  with  more hotels  springing up. “We are looking forward to a better occupancy rate in September. I think many states will be looking forward to attracting business and one way of doing that is increase in occupancy.”

Loxley added “We will continue to seek for new business, new market, we will continue to look for new people  in the environment, Lagos is a resilient environment and we will continue to maintain and improve as individual has more choices of hotels now more than before.” Mark Loxley expressed confidence that with good location, excellent product and premium placed on staff training, the hotel will get its fair share of the Lagos market.

While hopeful of the business growth in the state , Loxley promised that the hotel is paying attention to training and re-training of its staff, “apart from refurbishing, training is corner-stone of any management philosophy; so, we are employing correctly and constantly training.