Radisson Hotels, a member of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, has moved to redefine tourism and hospitality business in Ogun state by investing N4 billion in the sector through provision of Park Inn Hotels and Suites located at a choice area in the heartbeat of Abeokuta, the State capital.
BusinessDay reports that management of US-brand hotels expended N4 billion on defunct Gateway Hotels earlier owned and operated by Ogun state government and transformed it to Park Inn Hotels Abeokuta by Radisson under a concession agreement, having observed the growing economic status of the state, especially in tourism and hospitality sector.
According to Marc Descrozaille, Vice President of Sub-Saharan Africa, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, the location of Park Inn by Radisson to Abeokuta, Ogun state capital after Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos state, was borne out of Radisson’s strategies to expand its business in Africa, coupled with the growing status of the state’s economy.
He said, “This is the latest in a series of important hotel openings for us in Africa and we are delighted to welcome the first Park Inn by Radisson in Abeokuta, further strengthening our leading position in Africa. The growth of Ogun state’s economy has led to increased demand for hotels, and Abeokuta’s strategic location means that it has developed as a key business and leisure destination.”
Speaking at a media chart held in Abeokuta on Friday, Kayode Aina, general manager, Park Inn by Radisson, disclosed that the hotel was located in Abeokuta not only for the leisure of tourists from far and near, but to also domesticate “first and only internationally-branded hotel in Ogun state, which means that the state is moving on economically.”
While declaring that the hotel is still test-running ahead of grand opening in January 2016, Aina noted that Park Inn has employed 102 Nigerians as members of staff and spends about N300, 000 daily to procure agricultural produce and food stuffs used to feed and entertain its guests, adding that the brand could extra miles to satisfy its guests and visitors.
He said that Park Inn by Radisson in Abeokuta, which has a total of 173 rooms with free wireless high-speed internet facility, world standard bar and grill, swimming pool, restaurant, gym, indoor games, will also feature useful adds-on, amusement park and other recreational facilities for children’s delight as well as discerning adults as the business grows.
He added that every guest of Park Inn would be entitled to Club Carlson Membership which offers global discounts for every money spent at all 1,370 hotels owned and controlled by Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Worldwide, saying “you as our guest, whatever we need to make your stay pleasurable and delightful, will be our core services.”
He however, requested government at all levels to help grow tourism and hospitality sector of Nigerian economy through the provision enabling policies and infrastructure that would make the sector competitive and vibrant, adding that about 25-30 percent of daily expenses goes to independent power generation since the power distribution from national grid is poorly low.
RAZAQ AYINLA
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