What keep businesses ahead of others in a stiff and competitive market is innovation, meaning doing things in a different way.  Most Hotels nowadays are gradually inculcating the idea of fitness centres in their premises to meet the physical health needs of their clients, because it is assumed that health attract wealth. So next time you check into a hotel don’t forget to visit the gym section for your exercise. Fitness centres have become the new ‘gold' in the hospitality industry, with a recently published Hospitality Report Nigeria by Jumia Travel showing the gym as one of the most sought after amenities by customers booking a hotel stay.

The growing trend from home based fitness programmes to local fitness memberships now includes the need for travelers to keep fit even when on their trips, be it leisure or business. In this regard, most hotels have adopted to the trend and incorporated gym/fitness facilities in their properties, while those with existing ones have gone a notch higher to renovate in a bid to create a better impression.

As the head of customer service for Jumia Travel Nigeria, Omolara Adagunodo ascertains: “The percentage of our customers often enquiring the inclusion of a gym or fitness facility is overwhelmingly high. Some are concerned about keeping up with their workout routine while on the road, while others are purely on a wellness trip and, therefore, have a fitness facility as a priority. We have but to refer and recommend only hotels that have the capacity to meet their needs.”

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday dissolved the board of directors of Ikeja Hotels Plc and ordered a forensic investigation into the affairs of the hospitality and tourism company. Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) is the interim chairman.

The apex capital market regulator said it sacked the board due to unresolved internal crisis involving some majority shareholders of Ikeja Hotels Plc, in apparent reference to the squabbles within the Ibru family, which holds the largest shareholdings in the company.

It’s time hospitality sector contributes more to the economy – Efa

As the call for the diversification of the Nigerian economy heightens, especially now that crude oil price keeps crashing everyday, BRIAN Efa, managing partner, Jonel Hospitality Consulting/Founder, Nigeria Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference, in this interview with OBINNA EMELIKE, explains how  the investment conference can help. Excerpt.

Why Nigeria Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference?

Over the years, I have followed the statistics released by United Nations World Tourism Organisation. For instance, according the UNWTO in 2013, total export earnings generated by international tourism in 2013 reached US$ 1.4 trillion. Then, I asked myself, what is the stake of Nigeria in all these, bearing in mind that the whole of African accounted for only 3 percent of this figure.
Also, I discovered that Nigeria has over 100 natural tourism sites with the capacity to generate revenue for each states of the federation if fully developed and marketed to Nigerians and international communities. These facts prompted these questions; why are they not developed? What are the challenges and why are people not interested in investing in the sector? So, I saw the need to bring together stakeholders at the Nigeria Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (NHTIC) to a discourse to give answers to these questions. There was also the need to find out from the international community why they are not investing in the tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria, so we extended this conference to the international community to also hear from them what the problems are.

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Covenant University, Ota and Winigroup Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct capacity development trainings of over 100,000 staff working in Nigeria hotels to promote tourism in the country.
NIHOTOUR was set up by the federal government to oversee capacity development of workers in the hospitality industry in order to enhance the quality and efficiency of senior functionaries in the sector.

Plans are underway to host Abuja Carnival, an annual event that brings together both indigenous and foreign tourists to enjoy the remarkable sights and sounds of Nigeria. It was initiated in 2015 by president Obasanjo’s administration with the aim of promoting the country as a safe, warm and hospital tourism destination by showcasing her rich and diverse cultural heritage. This was disclosed by the Director of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Tourism Department, Mrs. Irene Elegbede in Abuja.  According to her, the theme of this year’s edition is “Building an enduring creative nation’’. The carnival has grown in leaps and bounds since its inception due to its ability to display the phenomenal cultural diversity,uniqueness and peculiarities of Nigeria. Major highlights of the carnival usually includes thrilling and captivating displays and events ranging from street parties with motorized floats to Boat regatta, Durbar, Masquerade displays, Music Concerts, Exhibitions and After-parties.

Observers have expressed mixed feelings over the standard of organisation of the just-concluded ninth edition of the Abuja International Cultural Carnival. While some argued that the organisation fell short of expectation of the residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), others appraised it against the background of being part of events to mark Nigeria’s 100 years as a nation. The carnival held between Nov. 23 and Nov. 26, was to feature all the states of the federation and the FCT, as well as 15 other countries. However, only 21 states participated, while five countries were represented. Organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, the 2013 festival was entitled: ``A people for a century, a people forever’’.For some observers, the run up to the festival lacked adequate publicity and coordination, resulting in low turnout of participants and audience. Many residents of the FCT claimed they were not availed of the opportunity to watch the dance troupes’ road shows or display at the Eagle Square due to poor publicity.The annual Abuja International Cultural Carnival was inaugurated by the Federal Government in 2005 to harness the nation’s rich cultural heritage as a vehicle to showcase the nation’s unity in diversity.