We’ll regulate hospitality sector to boost IGR, Oyo Govt says

In line with the commitment of Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, to expand the state’s economy through tourism and hospitality, the state government has expressed its readiness to clamp down on illegal and unregistered hotels and hospitality businesses in the state.

Wasiu Olatunbosun, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, who disclosed this, in Ibadan, said that the Ministry will work with registered hospitality business owners such as hoteliers and security agencies to rid the state off illegal and unregistered hotels, hospitality establishments and tour agencies.

He explained that the effort is geared towards improving the state’s internally generated revenue and reducing crimes associated with the tourism and hospitality sector.

Olatunbosun, who noted that there has been an influx of businesses into Oyo State due to Governor Makinde’s infrastructure development drive and the security architecture, said that the government will not allow some elements to game the system.

He announced that the clamp down process will begin next week with the creation of awareness and sensitisation across all geopolitical zones of the state, after which enforcement will follow immediately, with serious penalties for offenders.

“At the commencement of the second term administration of Governor Makinde, it was explicitly stated that the economy of the state would be driven by tourism for sustainable development.

“This was sequel to the provision of all necessary infrastructure and facilities during the Omituntun 1.0. What that implies is that this administration has laid a solid foundation for accelerated development. That is what has made tourism thrive in Oyo State,” he said.

The Commissioner also noted that the constant evasion of tax and the failure of the establishments to provide adequate data have continued to affect the government, hindering effective planning and making it difficult for security agencies to function optimally due to lack of adequate information.

Ayodele Ogundele, chairman, Hoteliers Association in Oyo State, called on hotel owners to cooperate with the state government in a bid to ensure the safety of citizens and hospitality businesses in the state.

He also maintained that the move will bring about proper dissemination of information, urging hoteliers to upgrade the level of staff and uphold professionalism that ensures proper verification and accountability from all visitors to their establishments.