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Southern Sun delights customers with quality service delivery

By Chuks Nwanne
01 April 2017   |   5:07 am
The determination of Southern Sun Ikoyi to hold fast to its core value of delivering excellent service, not minding obvious challenges, seems to be reinforcing the hotel giant’s premium positioning and overall profitability.

A section of the Southern Sun Ikoyi bar

The determination of Southern Sun Ikoyi to hold fast to its core value of delivering excellent service, not minding obvious challenges, seems to be reinforcing the hotel giant’s premium positioning and overall profitability.

Despite the biting state of the economy, the hospitality industry has never proved more challenging and also exciting than it is today. This could be attributed to the stability of democracy in the country in recent years; the influx of investors has been positively impactful in creating a highly competitive environment ensuring that to succeed in business, one’s operation must be the best in class.

Business, and in particular the hospitality business, is no different when aiming for excellence and this has been latched on to by the Southern Sun Ikoyi management team. In running the best hotel and restaurant in town, the critical aim for the hotel through the years has been to keep its customers happy always.

In achieving this, the hotel has in recent times embarked on refurbishment plans, essential to maintaining a world-class contemporary style and relaxing ambience. Adopting no short cuts to excellence, the strategy for consistently being the best is constantly reviewed as Mark Loxley, General Manager Southern Sun Ikoyi explained that guests do not expect to be told that the hotel will be perfect in a few years’ time, as exceptional service, enthusiasm and high standards in all departments do not need capital expenditure.

Evidently, the hotel has steadily won more global awards for its distinction within Nigeria’s growing tourism and hospitality industry than many of its contemporaries. Some of such awards include; the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2010 -2015, Top 100 Travel companies in West Africa 2016, Top 50 Restaurants in West Africa 2016, Traveler’s Choice Award 2011-2017, Trip Advisor Hall of Fame Award 2015, West African Tourism Hospitality Awards (WATHAWARDS 2012) ‘Best Fine Dining Restaurant 2012, International Hotel Awards (IHL) UK ‘Best Hotel Nigeria 2013/2014 African Region, International Hotel Awards (IHL) UK “Best Hotel in Africa 2012/2013 to mention a few.

The recession, which has restricted a number of Nigerians to the shores of the country, has said to reawaken the forsaken interests of many travelers in engaging in intra-country vacation. Undoubtedly benefitting from such patronage travelers are increasingly locking down hotels for attending local fairs, festivals and son on.

In maximizing the sudden interest for travelers locally, Mark Loxley said, despite the economic downturn, in recent years, the hotel has had to review its market position, noting that Nigeria’s hotel market began expanding rapidly and a significant number of new hotels were established. Thus allowing for growing competition at the top end of the market.

“In our self-assessment, we re-strategized and our aim for consistent excellence has proved favourable with the hotel recording outstanding recognitions for achievement,” Loxley hinted.

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