Hotelier laments poor enabling environs, tasks government on tourism development

Hotelier, Justina Folu-Ojo, has stressed the need for government to promote tourism in Nigeria, thereby creating enabling environment for the travel business to thrive.

She stressed that tourism sector, if funded accordingly, would help generate more revenue for the country thereby putting the country in spotlight of development.

Folu-Ojo, who doubles as the Acting Managing Director, Austina Continental Suites, said the government has not provide an enabling environment, adding, “tourism is a very good business provided its in a good environment; it could have thrived in Nigeria because there are a lot of potentials waiting to be tapped. But government is not making things easy.

“They are not responsive in terms of power supply, road construction, security and at the same time wants taxes while hoteliers get nothing. So, government should, for now, forget about taxing the tourism industry; let the industry develop first. By the time it does, it would become a major income earner for the government.”

She noted that, “Unlike other countries, Nigeria does not have planning, if you go to Cross River there are lots of tourist centers like the Obudu cattle ranch, Tinapa, government is doing little or nothing to sustain all these things; government should as a matter of fact develop the sector, they should develop it not taxing to kill it.”

Meanwhile, Austina Continental Suites recently thrilled its customers at its eight-year anniversary celebration, which featured artistes from different genre of music and showbiz.

Located at Governor’s Road, Ikotun area of Lagos, the suites runs a 24hour power supply, Wi-Fi, swimming pool, night club and exquisite cuisines to wet the appetite of its customers.

Speaking on the journey thus far, Folu-Ojo said it has not been easy setting up business and operating in Lagos,

“You have to do a lot to bring in people to patronise you and then some of these problem, particularly security, comes up. But we’ve been able to tackle it, because of the extended corporation we enjoying with the police right now.

“Despite the challenges we having about light we still give 24 hours light and I think we are the only hotel that does that in Alimosho,” she said.