The Lagos Commissioner urges hotel managers to adopt global best practices at the Africa Conference. In order to promote sustainable growth in the hospitality sector, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, has urged hotel management and other stakeholders around Africa to adopt international best practices and strategic alliances.
Benson-Awoyinka, who is the Chief Host of the 2025 Hotel Managers Conference Africa, which took place on Saturday, June 28 at the Lagos Continental Hotel on Victoria Island, stated that the conference is an essential forum for industry participants to share ideas, investigate new trends, and create networks that will increase the resilience and competitiveness of the sector.
“This gathering is dedicated to continuous learning, knowledge exchange, and strategic collaboration as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the hospitality industry in Africa and beyond,” the Commissioner noted.
With the topic “Synergising for Sustainable Growth Through Global Best Practices,” the two-day conference offers a number of thought-provoking sessions, such as talks about incorporating global standards, hospitality sustainability, and technology-driven guest experiences. A seminar on creating a learning culture in hotel operations will also be beneficial to participants.
Benson-Awoyinka underlined the value of tourism and hospitality to Lagos State’s economic development, job creation, and cultural diplomacy while restating the State Government’s dedication to funding security, infrastructure, and capacity building initiatives that support the industry’s success.
“We are intentional about building a vibrant ecosystem where hotel businesses can flourish and set benchmarks for excellence, not just in Nigeria but across Africa,” she said.
The Commissioner encouraged stakeholders to leverage government initiatives and work collaboratively to position Lagos as a leading destination for both business and leisure.
She urged delegates to actively participate, share insights, and forge lasting partnerships that will elevate service delivery and guest satisfaction.
“Let us work together to chart a path that ensures sustainable growth, resilience, and global competitiveness for our hospitality industry,” she added.
The Lagos State Government, she assured, remains steadfast in creating a supportive and enabling environment that will continue to boost the confidence of tourists and investors alike.
Hotel managers throughout the continent were urged by Mr. Olugbenga Sunday, the vice president of the Hotel Managers School and the organizer of the Hotel Managers Conference Africa, to turn obstacles in the hospitality industry into success stories that provide customers with exceptional service.
He emphasized that the hospitality sector in Africa is continuously evaluated in relation to worldwide standards and brands. He claimed that although our hotel customers have experienced the finest in Dubai, London, and Singapore, they still anticipate the same caliber of service in Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, and Johannesburg.
He stressed the need for managers to collaborate rather than compete, sharing innovations and lessons that will uplift the sector across the continent.
Mr. Sunday further encouraged hotel managers to see themselves as ambassadors for a thriving, world-class African hospitality industry, driving sustainable growth and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
The conference was attended by hotel managers around Lagos , industry experts, and investors from across the continent.
