Public ‘Il Benefit More From Classification Of Hotels – Association

The Hotel and Personal Services Employers’ Association of Nigeria (HOPESEA)?said the public stood to gain immensely if hotels in the country were classified.

The President of the association, Mr Samuel Alabi, told newsmen in Abuja that if hotels were classified the public would be protected from undue cheating by hotels.

Alabi said hotels would no longer be able to sell products at high rate as these products would be charged to customers according to the grade of such hotel.

“The classification will enable state governments have a procedure that allows for public complaint if one feels he or she has been cheated by a hotel,”?he said.

He called on state governments to take up the challenge and ensure prompt grading and classification of?hotels in the country.

The president listed human resource, finances to mobilise people and understanding stakeholders as some of the challenges they were likely to encounter.

He emphasised that all hotels in the country should be classified, including those located in rural areas.

“Even those in urban centres that are dilapidated due to lack of care and proper maintenance should also be classified.

“Hotels that do not meet the requirements of classification will be told what they need to do. They may need to refurbish old infrastructure and acquire new equipment before being graded.

“There is a bench mark or standard a hotel must attain before it can be classified either as a five star, four or three star hotel,” he said.

Alabi said that every hotel in the country should be able to fall under one category.

The Tide

recalls that the Supreme Court, Abuja, had dismissed a case filed by the Federal Government challenging the powers of Lagos State Government to regulate hotels and restaurant businesses in its area of authority.

The court ruled that only state houses of assembly could make laws on licensing and grading of hotels, restaurants and other hospitality businesses in a state.

The court, therefore, upheld that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, only empowers the National Assembly to regulate on tourist traffic not on hotel registration or licensing.