The association’s president, Eze Patrick Anyanwu, made the announcement while addressing newsmen during a parley of its national executive and state chairmen in Owerri, on Thursday.

The traditional ruler, who spoke on the first day of the two-day meeting, said that the unruly activities of criminals who lodged in unregistered hotels was a major contributor to insecurity in the country.

He called on all hotel owners to identify with the NHA or risk shutdown through the use of legal force, describing the hospitality industry as “one of the most important drivers of economic growth in Nigeria.”

“In the near future, hotels that refuse to register with the NHA will face penalties and may risk being shut down as part of efforts to sanitize the industry.

“We cannot continue to allow any hotel that is not registered to operate and damage the reputation of our association because they use such facilities to commit crime that affects the nation in general,” he said.

He further urged the government at all levels to provide  interventions such as grants or bailout funds to support the association and its members nationwide.

He commended the federal government and the Imo State government for their efforts at promoting tourism and creating an enabling environment for the growth of the hospitality sector.

He however, decried the multiple taxation of hoteliers across Nigeria and called for caution, while urging various state governments to work cooperatively with hoteliers in their domains.

“In consideration of our huge contribution to employment, revenue generation, accommodation of government visitors from all over the world and national development, it is only fair that the government supports us.

“The recent action of the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has been seriously affecting the hospitality industry, especially hotels over implementation of NIHOTOUR Act 2022, and this is not in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

“This is against the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that put tourism services under a residual list and has to stop, as we will not allow any agency or group to harass or intimidate our members,” he said.

Source: NAN

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This initiative is in furtherance of NIHOTOUR’s statutory mandate to standardize and regulate professional practices within the industry nationwide.

The compliance drive seeks to ensure that all personnel, practitioners, and operators within the sector are duly certified and registered with NIHOTOUR, in accordance with the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act 2022.

Speaking on the development, the Director of Legal Services at NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Mariam Inuwa, highlighted the institute’s legal responsibilities as captured in Section 5(1)(h) of the Act, which authorizes NIHOTOUR to regulate the activities of hospitality, travel, and tourism professionals in Nigeria.

She further referenced Section 4(0) of the Act, which mandates the certification of all practitioners in order to promote uniform standards, professionalism, and quality service delivery within the industry.

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As part of the exercise, several leading establishments were visited, including Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, GRA; The Sojourner; Sheraton Lagos, Radisson Blu, Victoria Island, Black Diamond Hotel, and FourPoints By Sheraton.

These visits followed the issuance of multiple letters of demand and contravention notices to the affected organisations.

“NIHOTOUR is pleased to announce that Marriott Hotel, The Sojourner, Radisson Blu, Black Diamond, and FourPoints by Sheraton have all commenced the process of registration and certification, in line with regulatory expectations.

“This compliance drive reinforces NIHOTOUR’s unwavering commitment to repositioning the Nigerian hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors as key pillars of national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The Institute will continue to engage stakeholders constructively, while ensuring strict adherence to the laws governing the sector,” Inuwa said.

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