In a blaze of glory, General Manager, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, Mr. Danny Kioupouroglou,
was named “The Best Hotel Manager in West Africa” at a recent forum in Lagos.
Kioupouroglou was bestowed with the award by ATQ Magazine, the organisers of Akwaaba Africa International Travel Market which rewards and celebrates excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.
Kioupouroglou, who studied hotel management in Manchester, the United Kingdom,before his appointment as General Manager of Eko Hotel & Suites, the most prestigious international hotel in West Africa, strategically positioned near the heart of Lagos’ Nigeria’s economic hub, had served as Director of Sales & Marketing for many years.
He assured that their customers will continue to have excellent services, pointing out that they are constantly aware of their changing needs and improving services to match them. He also said customer satisfaction is the centre of the operational philosophy of the recognised market leader in the hospitality industry in the sub-region.
Many organisations were also recognised as winners: Carnival Calabar clinched the “Best Event in West Africa” award; Arik Air, “The Best Airline in West-Africa,” and Ethiopian Airlines clinched “Best African Airline to West Africa and African Airline of the Year awards.”
Other winners include Asky Airlines, named “Best Short Haul Airline in Africa,” “South African Tourism,” which clinched “Best Tourism Marketing Agency,”Bole Airport Addis Ababa is named “Most passenger-friendly airport in East Africa;” Cape Town airport, “Most passenger-friendly airport” in Southern Africa; Obudu mountain resort is “Best resort in West Africa;” and La Campagne Beach Resort, “Best Beach Resort in West-Africa”.
At a recent seminar organised byAkwaaba Africa International Travel Market in Lagos, Kioupouroglou, who was a panelist in the team of general managers of top hotels in West Africa, also spoke on what makes Eko Hotel & Suites tick: “It is exceeding guests’ expectations, thus the hotel is constantly working on how to add value to the experience of its guests. These include renovation and expansion of the property and also upgrading to include all the very latest of technological requirement of the international marketplace,” he highlighted.
The Greek man, who always declares, “I am blessed to be married to a Nigerian,” also stressed that what they are trying to do is to constantly add value, and to be a step ahead. “You cannot have a beautiful property and not have good staff,” he said. Adding: “A happy and satisfied business traveler is most likely to return to Eko Hotel, and repeat business is the mainstay of any hotel.”
Eko Hotel &Suites offers 825 bedrooms and a modern exhibition centre which has been bestowed with multiple awards, including ‘Best Hotel in Nigeria’ award. It is the choice of top business and leisure travellers in Lagos and offers a combination of first- class facilities and service in unrivalled location. It boasts WIFI in all the public areas.
