Yuletide: Hotel Operators Count Gains, Losses

Hotel Operators in Nigeria, especially the ones in Lagos, the nation’s economic hub have expressed mix reactions in terms of patronage during yuletide.

While some are saying that business came at its peak, others are already lamenting the low level patronage noticeable during the Yuletide.

According to the hoteliers, there was widespread low patronage all over the state compared to previous years. The low patronage, they argue was due to the current economic recession in the country.

When Daily Times visited some of these hotels along airport road, Ajao Estate Lagos, it was gathered that most of the hotels were experiencing low customers patronage.

Speaking on their ordeals, Reservation Manager Eko Hotels and Suites Adewale Adedeji said although patronage is low but quite encouraging when compared with what they used to have in the previous years.

Adedeji pointed out that the Eko Hotels and Suites case is different because they have a way of handling any challenge, saying that “There is no challenge because we care for them as they come.”

Emphasising his point, the Reservation Manager said “We have four brands, from the room, conference, Eko Signature and others. All of them were busy including the room and the conference hall and they were all selling. We had a busy time during the season. We had a lot of shows and conferences”.

“We did Christmas bonus for family and individuals. It’s started from December 16th and will still on till January 8th. We offer opporunity for families and individuals to bring their kids . It was a good patronage and all the people that came enjoyed themselves. The turnout was really encourageable, Adedeji reaffirmed.

In his own view, Front Office Manager Golden Tulip Essential Lagos Airport Hotel Mr Stephen Ekwenugo said that there was quite a good number of movements.

“In this period, there was quite a number of movements compared to last year. During last year and even the previous year, we were still very new in the system. Nobody’s knew we were here and people, at that time don’t really know us in the market. Over time people are beginning to know this brand and with the promo: “pay one take one”, many people have come to patronise us. We equally ran the promo last year“.

According to Ekwenugo, the promo was designed for lowest period and it started on December 15th to end January 15th, 2017.

Commenting on patronage during the Yuletide, Operation Manager Westview Hotel MaryAnn Oparaocha said it was generally low.

Oparaocha who noted that patronage has been coming but not as expected added “As you can see everywhere is scanty. People actually believe that all hotels should be filled up during the festive period”.

The manager however, pointed out that previous sales have been encouraging considering the condition of Nigeria.

“At least, there was bonus last year to attract customers and then there was regular power supply and we were able to do bonus. This period ought to be the peak in hospitality industry but it has turned otherwise. I think it has to do with the negative economic which is telling on the industry“, Oparaocha said.