“When we have Strong Associations we end up with a Strong Federation” was the Mantra FTAN President Nkereuwem Onung Carried last week to the events held Last week by some Member Associations in Lagos and Abuja.
At the NANTA Eminent People Awards held in Abuja he congratulated NANTA as one of the biggest association in the Federation for its consistent progress over the years.
NANTA he said represents one of the Major Planks on which Tourism in Nigeria is built.
As a Special Guest at the ITPN Organised Transport and Tourism Forum also held in Abuja he praised the Insight of the Organisers in bringing Tourism and Transport together as there would be no Tourism without Transport.
More training and capacity building in tourism was his message to the delegates at the NHCI AGM in Lagos.
“The 39th AGM of NHCI is a vehicle for sharing innovations, ideas, knowledge, expertise, application and practice for our industry.
He commended the Association for the Smooth Transfer of Leadership from one President to Another. He recommended this to all Member Associations of FTAN. All Associations should Organise and hold Annual General Meetings AGM and eschew Positions of Life President. We expect More Participation by Members in their Associations. FTAN he says is a Federation and not an Association so individuals Cannot join FTAN so its needs thriving Associations as Members.
The NHCI AGM was well attended by its Members and the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism who was commended by Mr. Onung.
“Let me recognise and commend this lady, for her collaboration with Private sector Tourism- Pharmacist Uzamat Folashayo Akinbile Yusuf, Lagos Commissioner For Tourism, arts and culture .”
He Commended all the Practitioners present at the AGM “I welcome other hospitality practitioners present here today for bracing it through the pandemic, and just as the theme of this year’s conference has been aptly coined to address issues surrounding the hospitality and tourism industry in the new normal and to outline strategies for sustainability, it is no news to anyone here that the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our industry but it hasn’t ended it.
Amid the chaos of COVID-19, we adapted because we had to. The new normal confronted us with a lot of uncertainties but thanks to quick reactions and a willingness to adjust, which has helped us to stay afloat.
With more establishments reopening, it’s become clear that some of these changes will last.
After having shut down for a long while, the industry quickly learned that it must adapt to survive. Now that the we have lived with these adjustments for some time, our long-term potential is more apparent.
The most obvious change to come with reopening is a renewed stress on health and safety. During the pandemic, increased health measures were a government-mandated necessity in some areas. After the pandemic, they’ll be an optional but critical part of preventing future risks.
Some measures, like wearing masks and mandating a six-foot distance between seats, will likely fade with the virus. Others, like frequent hand washing, hand sanitizer stations for guests and regular disinfection, will persist. Overall, the industry will take cleanliness more seriously, going beyond meeting regulations and taking a proactive approach to disease prevention.
The other critical sustainability factor is technology. Technology has proven an indispensable resource amid the pandemic. From QR code-based menus to app-based reservations and ordering, technology has sustained the industry throughout the past year. These tools can continue to help outside of the pandemic, too, so the industry will grow increasingly tech-centric.
There is no one here who was not affected by the pandemic one way or another. I know I was and so it comes with the temptation to speak at length about these matters but I will leave that to the speakers who have been carefully selected to address this year’s theme. It is my desire that after this conference our dear industry begins to see some ray of hope after so much uncertainties.
I am aware that this AGM will usher in new leadership for the institute.
Let me commend Chief Mrs Bola Dada and the entire Exco for a job well done.
This serves as a notice to other organisations within the Federation who have sit tight Presidents. Associations should be Democratic and rotate offices.
For the incoming Leadership, we promise on behalf of the governing council to give all the support required to succeed.”
