NIHOTOUR begins enforcement of regulatory compliance in hospitality sector

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has commenced a compliance enforcement exercise across hotels and other businesses in the hospitality sector in Lagos.

The exercise was initiated to enforce the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act 2022, particularly sections 4 and 5 of the legislation, which focuses on the certification of professionals in hospitality businesses.

NIHOTOUR officials have, for the past few days, been visiting hotels in Lagos state to enforce the regulation.

Mariam Inuwa, director of legal services at NIHOTOUR, said the compliance exercise aims to ensure that all personnel, practitioners, and operators are duly certified and registered with the agency.

She said the legislation mandates the agency to certify all practitioners to promote uniform standards, professionalism, and quality service delivery in the industry.

“As part of the exercise, several leading establishments were visited, including Marriott Hotel Ikeja GRA, The Sojourner, Sheraton Lagos, Radisson Blu Victoria Island, Black Diamond Hotel, and Four Points By Sheraton,” she said in a statement on Thursday.

“These visits followed the issuance of multiple letters of demand and contravention notices to the affected organisations.

“NIHOTOUR is pleased to announce that Marriott Hotel, The Sojourner, Radisson Blu, Black Diamond, and FourPoints by Sheraton have all commenced the process of registration and certification, in line with regulatory expectations.

“This compliance drive reinforces NIHOTOUR’s unwavering commitment to repositioning the Nigerian hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors as key pillars of national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”