Hotel owners, under the auspices of National Hotel Association, have appealed to the federal government to save hotel businesses and the tourism industry from extinction.
Jijiwon Akpovwovwo, the national secretary of the association, said this on Tuesday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Akpovwovwo called on the government to provide bailout funds to hotel owners, saying the difficult economic terrain, poor power supply and high cost of energy were adversely affecting hotel businesses.
“The sector is still battling with erratic power supply; the cost of electricity is very high, and in the end after paying for electricity, one is virtually left with nothing.
“This situation is pushing the hotel business into extinction,” he said.
Akpovwovwo said that tourism helps generate employment, noting that it is the “fastest developing industry in the world.”
He urged the government to grant a two-year tax exemption for new hotels to encourage more investment in the industry.
The secretary called on the government to set aside N220 billion for small and medium enterprises and three million dollars for the creative industry.
“The tourism sector should also be provided with such funds as bailout to develop the sector,” he said.
The development of hotels in the country, he said, will enhance employment, reduce poverty and boost the economy.
Copyright 2024 TheCable. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheCable.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle