COVID-19: Anabel boss seeks more govt support for tourism, hospitality industry

By Ebere Chibuzor

Thriving tourism sector in Nigeria has been threatened by the new COVID-19 strain even with measures being put in place to contain the virus.

This observation was made by the General Manager, Anabel Apartment and Suites, Vikas Saini, who noted that hotel occupancy had dropped drastically, leading to increased job loss in the travel and tourism industry.

Saini, who is also Chief Operating Officer at Anabel Apartment and Suites further, urged the Nigerian government to do more to support the hospitality industry.

He said, “Hospitality and tourism sector has also had its own share of the challenges arising from COVID-19 lockdown” imposed last year by the Nigerian’s government, stressing that with government’s announcement of stay-at-home and “social distancing” directives, most restaurant businesses were adversely affected. He said this led to rapid shutdown in cities and states to control COVID-19 spread, throwing many restaurants and hotels across the country out of business.

Saini pointed out that resorts and hotels booked by excited vacationers and corporate conference goers before the present COVID-19 pandemic had to be cancelled.

According to him, prior to the pandemic outbreak, hospitality sector was a major revenue earner, with propensity of creating thousands of jobs annually.

For instance, he said, “Nigeria has a long coastal line, forest reserves and cultural heritage sites which can improve tourism.”

However, he noted, “The impact of COVID-19 is making it extremely difficult for many of the hospitality industry’s establishments to continue paying workers with a sharp drop in sales and income, resulting in job losses.

“Many hotels are already closing down because of low patronage and inability to meet up with payment of workers’ salary, electricity bills and other operating expenses.”

He also gave major challenges of the hospitality industry in Nigeria as poor energy supply and cynical global perspicacity, poor standardisation and flawed hotel classification.

Others are inconsistent regulatory environment and skilled labour shortage caused by a few entrepreneurs with little knowledge of the workings of the industry as well as different taxes being paid to various forms of government.

Saini however noted, “Nigeria’s tourism sector, with its great potential, has not been explored maximally.”

He also spoke about “Anabel Apartments and Suites, which he described as the latest bespoke boutique apartment hotel in Abuja,  providing one of the highest quality accommodations and impeccable services to an expanding array of noble and appreciative customers.

With emphasis on building loyalty through high level of quality service, he said the hotel aimed to offer clients modern stylish and affordable apartments, suites and independent rooms for both short and long-term stay.

He said, “We have a well-equipped modern multipurpose hall, with good acrostic characteristics, ideal for conferences with seating capacity 200 guests’ minimum, banquets and meetings.

“Do not be amazed, at this time, Anabel Apartments and Suites invites guests to experience African menu of culinary delights; though the hotel’s in-house bar was a great place to relax hitherto, this allows guests to choose from a colorful assorted drinks stacked in finely cut-glass bottles.

“The new outdoor pool bar is another exciting offer. Standard features and facilities in Anabel are super king bed size, free high speed wifi connection, secure digital safe, laundry service, SPA, GYM, swimming pool and many more. Additionally, the hotel is strategically located at a serene niche in the highbrow Asokoro Residential District, Abuja.”

Saini further explained that in relation to the cost per unit space and quality of accommodation, ANABEL offers the most competitive rate and value for money package amongst the prime apartment and hotels in Abuja.