The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has received a delegation from The Festival Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa to explore areas of collaboration and strengthen cooperation within the state’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Eko Hot News reports that the courtesy visit took place , as both parties discussed opportunities to support tourism development and improve the hospitality experience in Lagos.
The delegation was received by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila.
Oyekan-Ismaila reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with private-sector operators to strengthen Lagos’ tourism industry.
She said stronger cooperation between government and hospitality businesses was essential to improving service standards across the sector.
The Permanent Secretary noted that partnerships could also help promote Lagos’ tourism attractions and position the state as a leading destination in Africa.
She assured The Festival Hotel of the ministry’s willingness to support initiatives that contribute to the growth of the state’s tourism ecosystem.
She, however, encouraged the hotel’s management to maintain high standards of service delivery.
According to her, hospitality businesses must continue to embrace global best practices to provide visitors with memorable experiences.
Oyekan-Ismaila also highlighted the growing importance of technology and digitalisation in the tourism industry.
She encouraged hospitality operators to adopt modern solutions that can improve their services and meet changing expectations among visitors.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that positive visitor experiences could encourage tourists to return and recommend Lagos to others.
She urged hospitality businesses to view quality service as an important part of promoting the state’s tourism potential.
The ministry believes that satisfied visitors can contribute to increased visibility for Lagos as a tourism destination.
The Festival Hotel delegation was led by its General Manager, Mr. Olusola Fasoro.
Fasoro said the visit was aimed at seeking the ministry’s support while identifying areas where both organisations could work together.
He described The Festival Hotel as a four-star hospitality facility with an interest in contributing more actively to Lagos’ tourism development.
According to him, the hotel management is seeking opportunities to increase the facility’s visibility within the state’s tourism and hospitality landscape.
Fasoro said stronger engagement with the ministry could help the hotel align its operations with the state’s broader tourism objectives.
He also requested guidance and support from the ministry in areas that would enable the hotel to contribute more effectively to the sector.
The visit provided an opportunity for both parties to discuss the role of private hospitality operators in strengthening Lagos’ tourism economy.
The hospitality industry remains an important component of the tourism value chain.
Hotels, restaurants, conference facilities and other tourism businesses provide services that support visitors and create economic opportunities.
The Lagos State Government has continued to encourage collaboration with private-sector stakeholders as part of its efforts to grow tourism.
Such partnerships can support investment, improve service delivery and strengthen the overall visitor experience.
The ministry’s emphasis on digitalisation also reflects the changing nature of the global tourism industry.
Technology is increasingly being used by hospitality businesses for reservations, customer engagement, marketing and service delivery.
Adopting such tools can help hotels compete more effectively and respond to the expectations of local and international visitors.
The Festival Hotel’s request for increased collaboration comes as Lagos continues to promote itself as a major tourism and business destination.
The state has a diverse tourism offering that includes cultural attractions, entertainment, hospitality facilities and waterfront destinations.
Private-sector participation remains important to developing these opportunities and creating a stronger tourism ecosystem.
The ministry’s engagement with the hotel is expected to encourage further discussions on possible areas of cooperation.
Both parties also have an interest in ensuring that hospitality services contribute positively to the overall image of Lagos.
For visitors, improved services and memorable experiences can influence their decision to return or recommend the destination to others.
The Permanent Secretary therefore encouraged the hotel to maintain consistent service standards while exploring innovative approaches to hospitality.
Fasoro, on his part, expressed the hotel’s readiness to work with the ministry in advancing tourism development.
He said the hotel wants to play a meaningful role in strengthening the hospitality sector and supporting Lagos’ tourism ambitions.
The engagement highlights the importance of government-industry cooperation in building a competitive tourism sector.
Continued collaboration could also create opportunities for knowledge sharing, improved standards and greater visibility for tourism businesses.
As Lagos seeks to attract more visitors and investment, hospitality operators will remain key partners in achieving those objectives.
The ministry’s meeting with The Festival Hotel is expected to serve as a foundation for further engagement between both parties.
The discussions also reinforce the need for tourism stakeholders to work together to improve the visitor experience.
With stronger partnerships and continued investment in service quality, Lagos can further strengthen its position within Africa’s growing tourism market.
