THE Anambra State government, through the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, indigenous Artworks, Culture and Tourism, is partnering with Viko Nig. Ltd to help improve tourism in the state through hospitality.
The partnership was disclosed during the workshop the Ministry organized with the Hotelier on Tuesday, at MayRoses Hotel Amaobia, in the state.
Speaking during the workshop, the Commissioner of the Ministry, Barr Sally Mbanefo, said that the workshop was born out of the outcome of the meeting that was held in January with the hoteliers where they listed their challenges, which included low occupancy rate.
Mbanefo stated that the meeting is to make the hoteliers more effective, to have the liquidity to be able to renovate and upgrade their hotels and to give them a full house.
The Commissioner revealed that the prepaid system Viko company has introduced would increase traffic in the hotels in the state, improve tourism and create job opportunities for the youth in the state.
She expressed gratitude to the Governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano for his visionary strides in boasting Tourism in the state, to increase revenue.
“Tourism continues to be the greatest employer of labour. In the world, tourism is contributing 9.8-10 per cent of GDP. If tourism is improved upon, there would be employment, increased business in the hospitality industry and increase in IGR for the state,” she said.
She also added that the Governor, whom she described as tourism-friendly, was embarking on the planting of trees project to make the environment greener and warm for tourists to feel a free and friendly environment of the state which is what hospitality gives.
“If people need to know that Anambra people are hospitable, we are very warm people then they can come here more often, and if the hotel has full occupancy then the state will generate more revenue, if they sign up with this prepaid system, then they will be happy to give the State IGR.”
She further stated that the workshop would be extended to transporters because the prepaid system involves them and also the youths, the platform would create employment for them.
Also during a remark the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nkem Okeke encouraged the hotel owners to tap into the opportunity made available by the company to improve on their businesses and services to maximize profit.
“This is a business strategy that will put smiles on the face of everyone, the investors, the hotel owners and the government. The more people visit you through this platform the more testimonies about you,” he said.
Also during a presentation, the CEO of Viko Nig. Ltd, Mr Chidi Kanu, said that his mission is to improve business for hoteliers through a digital system.
Mr Kanu stated that they are carving into the enabling environment created by the state government to promote tourism through hospitality.
“We came to train, empower and create jobs for the youth and also bring investors who are interested to invest in the hotel business,” he said.
