24th December, 2010
Operators in the hospitality industry are now offering prospective customers juicy incentives and innovative packages to woo them during the festive period, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The packages are targeted at various government and private-owned companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government departments and parastatal agencies.
NAN reports that the operators are offering packages like free internet services, free newspapers, breakfast buffet, in-house health clubs and free access to gyms and branded items as take away.
Some operators in Lagos are already recording large number of customers who are making last minute bookings.
A visit to some eateries in Lagos, including Mr Biggs, Sweet Sensation and Tantalizers, showed that the eateries had put in place various promotional packages to woo customers.
Some of the operators told NAN in separate interviews that the packages became imperative to woo numerous customers, especially foreign visitors.
Some of the hotels visited, including Le Chatea’u Hotel, Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Tower, Eko Hotel and Suites, Sheraton, Golden Tulip had released their programmes for the festive period, especially the public holidays.
NAN also reports that most of the eateries have put in place various attractive packages for their customers.
Mr. Emmanuel Ele, Sales Manager, Golden Tulips Hotels, urged families to take time out to celebrate the season, adding that adequate arrangements and innovative packages had been put in place for their comfort.
“Golden Tulips is offering one night package of N43, 850 to couples with free launch and dinner and glass of wine to enjoy under a cozy, serene environment and modern facilities,†Ele said.
In his comments, Mr. Ikechi Uko, a tourism expert, urged visitors to major destinations like Calabar to make early booking to avoid disappointment during the festive period.
Uko, the organiser of Akwaaba Travel Market, said that it was impressive and now fashionable for families to spend their Christmas and New Year holidays at the parks.
He said that Calabar was made attractive for tourists with month-long activities like sports, exhibitions, cultural festivals and carnivals lined up by the State Government for the season.
Chief Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), said that hospitality operators should be proactive in their innovative packages for the season.
Runsewe, while lighting Christmas Trees in Abuja, expressed satisfaction with the growth being recorded in the nation’s tourism sector, saying that more people now visited the nation’s tourist destinations for holidays.
“I know it is not yet Uhuru, but we have got it right. So, the dividend will continue to trickle to improve employment generation and wealth creation,†he said.
