Hotelier Blames High Charges On Foreign Supplies

The Regional Marketing
and Sales Manager, African Sun Hotels, Lagos, Mrs Thamary Reppoh, on Tuesday said lack of locally produced supplies was partly responsible for high cost of running hotels in the country.
Reppoh told The Tide source in Lagos that lack of locally produced items such as tea bags, plates and beefsteak had forced many hoteliers to rely on importation.
She said that the added cost of operations led to the high rates charged by some hoteliers.
“Some of the guest supplies such as tea bags as well as beef steaks we use are imported. Also, no one produces proper and standard quality plates here.
“So, the cost of starting up and running a hotel becomes so high and the owner needs to get his money back or in order to repay loans.
“So, if you then charge low rates, you can’t manage the running cost,” Reppoh said.
She also added that lack of competent manpower and regular electricity supply were some of the challenges in the hospitality industry.
“We’ve realised that people have had some certain kind of knowledge but no proper training,” she added.