BAUCHI – The Nigeria Hotel Association (NHA) has commended the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa for suspending a mandatory directive on training and registering of hotel workers.
The association said suspension of the controversial directive by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to register and train hotel workers, is a huge relief for hoteliers nationwide.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday in Bauchi, Dr Patrick Anyanwu, National President of the association, said NIHOTOUR’s attempt to register hotel personnel was illegal,
He said registration of hotels legally fell under the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA).
He explained that following protests and consultations with stakeholders, the minister ordered NIHOTOUR to halt the registration exercise, pending further dialogue with the industry.
“We call on our members across the country to ignore anyone collecting money under the suspended NIHOTOUR directive. The suspension remains valid until a new decision is reached,” he said.
Anyanwu lamented multiple taxation and poor government support faced by hoteliers, especially during the COVID-19 crisis, and called for policies that would promote growth and sustainability in the sector.
He expressed gratitude to the Senate Committee on Tourism for pledging to push laws protecting Hoteliers’ Rights and to the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) for their solidarity.
The NHA president urged all government agencies to consult the association’s leadership before taking actions affecting its members.
He stressed that the hotel industry remained a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy through job creation and revenue generation.(NAN)
