Some hotel owners in
Abuja on Monday said they had slashed their service rates to attract more customers as a strategy to combat low patronage.
The hotel owners, who made this known in an interview with newsmen said that the move was in view of the recent low patronage they were experiencing.
Miss Miracle Newman, acting Operation Manager, Bolingo Hotel said that low patronage was a big problem facing the sector, adding that it must be dealt with strategically.
“This year, the management of this hotel has agreed that we review the rates of our rooms and facilities to a reasonable amount that can attract more customers.
“This progress will also give us the chance to record good profit.
“We are exploring new policies to make sure that our daily operations run smoothly and to satisfy our customers, this has made us to review of our rates.
“We also put in latest security measures to make sure that all our guests are treated fine without any form of hitch,’’ she said.
Mr Barry Curran, a staff of Sheraton hotels said that the standards of the hotel across the nation were set to be improved on this year.
He said that the hotel was improving its facilities including the ICT rooms, the swimming pools and the rooms to attract more patronage.
“It is fair to say that the primary goal of almost every operator of a hotel is to make as big a profit as possible. To achieve such a goal the focus needs to be on both revenues and costs.
“Hotels can boost their bottom line by increasing revenues or decreasing costs, we are working towards achieving better goals in the cause of the year,’’ he said.
The Managing Director, Peniel Hotel, Abuja, Mrs Oluwatoyin Adedoyin said that the major priority of the group was to ensure the best and affordable accommodations to its customers.
“One of our major goals is to not only  increase our income but also to expand more and create more job opportunities for people.
“We want to be as friendly as ever, we guarantee our customers, the best and affordable accommodations,’’ Adedoyin said.
The Head of Sales, Ibro Ground Hotel, Mr Gabriel Adoba, said that the hotel was giving its best to ensure that its staff and guests “are happy’’.
“Any good hotel operators should be able to give your guests a reason to choose your hotel over other hotels.
“That is exactly what we are working on achieving, guests satisfaction and increase our sales level.
“We want to be the most preferred and to boost our income, you can differentiate your hotel from your competitors on the basis of price, policy and service,’’ he said.
Mr Adesola Ibidapo, a guest in one of the hotels, said that he visited the hotel due to an online advert  that displayed its prices.
“I realised that the hotel is offering a reasonable price, I got a coupon from the internet and when I got to this place I realised that they actually changed their prices,’’ he said.
Mrs Doren Akpan, a travel agent, said that most of her clients visited Abuja more frequently between December 2015 and January due to low rates of the hotels.
“Most hotels in  Abuja are trying to reduce their service rates; I think this is encouraging and good because it can help to grow the tourism sector.
“Hotels play  more important role in redeeming the image of the country and boosting the economy, adding that  a rate will give room for competitiveness.
“We have advocated for the hotel operators to be more friendly, we can see that coming to play with the introduction of low rates and adverts,’’ she said.
Mr Joseph Ochimana, a lawyer said that it was important for hotel operators to ensure that tourists and guests got value for their money at all times.
“Whether your guests are just staying for one night or more, you should always do your best to make them feel at home.
“It is our pride as Nigerians to see that businesses are growing.
“I am happy that the tourism sector is placing high quality priority on tourists, especially on the lower rates the hotels are offering to get people attracted to the sector,’’ Ochimana said.