Director General Dr ifeanyi C. Okeke delivering his opening remarks
The Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi C. Okeke, has emphasized the importance of standardization in the Tourism and Hospitality sector.
Dr. Okeke made this known at the Conference jointly organized by SON, the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) and the Lagos State Government in Lagos recently.
In the Conference tagged “Implementing International Best Practices in the Hospitality Business, Dr. Okeke, highlighted the need for SON to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to enforce existing international and national standards, as well as for organisations to demonstrate compliance with global standards in order stay competitive.
He emphasized the importance of SON certification processes for the hospitality sector to thrive stating that the NIS ISO 22483:2021: For Hotels services requirements and NIS 489: 2020: hotels and serviced accommodation management system and Rating, requirements and guidance for use if implemented will surely improve on their quality of services provided in the sector.
Speaking further the SON Director General, stressed the importance of collaborating with relevant stakeholders to enforce these standards to have a vibrant and sanitized systems thereby adding value to the businesses as well as to promote economic growth for the Tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria.
Equally speaking at the event, Mrs. Oloruntoyin Atekoja, representing Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, harped on the importance of partnership among stakeholders to drive positive change in the hospitality sector and establish new benchmarks for success.
She underscored the critical role that standard plays in ensuring quality, consistency, and competitiveness in the tourism sector, serving as the foundation for industry growth within the international community while maintaining the highest service delivery standards.
Mrs. Atekoja assured SON’s management of the state’s unwavering commitment and support for initiatives aimed at promoting standardization and excellence in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Mr. Nkerewem Onung, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), emphasized the importance of partnership and collaboration to drive positive change in the hospitality sector and establish new benchmarks for success.He applaud SON for the initiative, adding that the private sector is ready to work with Government at all levels.
He emphasized on the importance of Tourism, SON needs to appeal to all State Governors on the need to register all hotels in their state as it will benefit both the state and the business owners, noting that until there is a collaborative effort the Standards being targeted will not be attainable.
