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Hotel owners urge FG to set up hospitality, tourism bank

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Eze Patrick Anyawu, National President of the association, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja.

Anyawu said that such support was needed to make the industry thrive and contribute to the nation’s economy.

He said that the hospitality industry was important to the nation’s economy and should not be left solely in the hands of individuals.

“Hotels and the hospitality industry are integral to the development of the country’s economy.

“It is one of the top 10 revenue earners for the federal government, especially through taxation and government needs to accord it more recognition,’’ he said.

Anyawu suggested that hospitality should be an integral part of the government’s fiscal policy.

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He called on the National Assembly to create committees on hospitality to regulate and carry out oversight of the sector.

“ We are the ones who provide accommodation to foreigners whenever they come to Nigeria.

“The tourism sector which happens to be a sector government is now focusing on to boost revenue heavily depends on the hospitality industry to succeed.

“The National Assembly should set up committees on hospitality to regulate and oversight the industry in order to maintain and improve the standard.

“We also deserve a specialized bank like a tourism and hospitality bank for support in the area of project funding through flexible credit.

“That will enable the hoteliers to expand and improve on facilities in line with global best practices,’’ he said.

The hotelier also urged the government to improve infrastructure in the country to make hospitality more profitable.

“Hospitality industry consumes so much power, and we want the government to ensure the improvement of electricity supply to enable us to function more effectively.

“Most hotels in Nigeria run on 24 hours of power generating sets.

“We are employers of labor, and we support the government to reduce the unemployment burden; so, we also deserve the government’s support and encouragement.

“We are not supposed to spend additional resources on basic infrastructure that government should provide,’’ he said.

He said that the tourism sector had not been fully tapped due to the government’s low level of commitment.

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NAN

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