The director general of the Cross River Tourism Bureau, Ekpenyong Ojoi, has called on hotels in the state to upgrade their services in preparation for the 2024 Calabar Carnival and street parties.
This call was made on Monday in Calabar at an award presentation ceremony where 20 hotels received N1 million each and 14 restaurants and bars received N500 thousand each.
According to Mr Ojoi, “As we support you, you need to upgrade your services. When customers call for food or water, does it take up to 30 minutes before they are provided? Do we still have hotels with leaking roofs?”
He emphasized the need for hotels to improve their services, stating that “The Bureau will come after such hotels and close them down” if they fail to meet the required standards.
Mr Ojoi noted that the private sector plays a crucial role in the state’s tourism industry, and the government is committed to supporting their growth.
He said that the Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, is highly committed to ensuring the growth of hotels in the state, which will boost the state’s tourism potential.
The governor has assured that two new aircraft will be added to the state’s fleet by the first quarter of 2025, which is expected to boost traffic to the state.
Mr Ojoi urged hotels to be prepared to accommodate the influx of tourists and provide them with the best service.
Charles Ogar, chairperson of the Hoteliers Association of Nigeria, Cross River Chapter, appealed to hotel and restaurant owners to partner with the state’s tourism bureau to grow the sector.
He thanked the state government for its support and called for the training and retraining of players in the state’s hospitality industry to boost its potential.
Ekpenyong Akiba, the special adviser to the governor on special duties, noted that the governor has shown a deliberate intention to encourage hotel businesses, recognizing the significant role tourism plays in driving various activities in the state.
He emphasized the importance of tourism in the state’s economy and the need for all stakeholders to work together to promote the sector.
