By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State government has begun moves to sanction owners of hotels, event centres, bars, clubs, fast food outlets and other hospitality and tourism establishments  and operators that have failed to comply with the provisions of the state’s Hotel Licensing Law (as amended) 2003.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor/Secretary, Lagos State Hotel Licensing Authority, Ms Aduke Gomez, said the measure was in line with the government’s resolve to sanitise the tourism industry in the state.

According to her, the names of identified non-compliant hospitality and tourism establishments have been filed at courts within various magisterial divisions across the state in order that implementation of proceedings against the proprietors of such establishments should commence. She added that the compilation of the names of such defaulting establishments was ongoing and that she expected that a second list of names would soon be submitted to the courts.

Gomez also noted that the registration of hotels and tourism related outfits is an internationally accepted control mechanism evolved by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

Maintaining that it is mandatory that all hospitality and tourism establishments operating within Lagos state be registered, she observed that the registration of all hospitality and tourism establishments will provide a data base for planning, marketing and research. The secretary, therefore, urged those that were yet to fully comply with the state registration requirements to do so immediately.

She added that hotel registration would provide accurate information to protect hotel clientele and will also provide information to users on the quality of facilities available in the establishments, while the publication of such data has the potential to increase customer traffic to accredited hotels and tourism establishments.

Reiterating government’s determination to make the state, the preferred destination for tourism, business and leisure in Africa, Gomez, stressed that the state government would ensure that all hospitality and tourism establishments operating in the register with the state’s Hotel Licensing Authority.

A total of 89 registered hospitality and tourism establishments operating in the State were recently issued licenses and permits to operate by the state’s licensing authority.