Business
Hotel Owners Reduce Rates To Woo Customers
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.
MoniePoint Inc. a digital financial firm in Nigeria, has said it is empowering community pharmacists across the country with innovative payment solutions to improve access to drugs.
The financial firm said it had also provided loans for pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to drive healthcare delivery in the country.
MoniePoint in a release titled, “Inside Nigeria’s community pharmacies: How Moniepoint drives healthcare access with payments and funding”, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing digital payment solutions to improve health outcomes in Nigeria.
The release examined how community pharmacies play a crucial role as vital access points for medical care in Nigeria, especially in areas with limited hospital or clinic access.
According to the release, the ACPN National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekwam, highlighted the critical role played by community pharmacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system over the years.
Igwekwam, however, expressed concerns over the challenges confronting the nation’s pharmaceutical industry which he said was hindering access to affordable medicines.
The pharmacist listed poor infrastructural systems, power, transportation, regulatory bottlenecks, importation dependency, and limited research opportunities as major challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector.
He also stressed the need for robust collaborative efforts with institutions like Moniepoint to strengthen the sector.
“As Nigeria continues to grow, improving local pharma manufacturing to meet the demands of this growth presents a key opportunity for us all.
“There is also the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which is expected to boost our industry, especially when we start producing our drugs locally, which will provide the much needed foreign exchange from exports.
“We are also seeing advancements in digital health and technology which would hopefully deepen the practice of e-prescription in Nigeria”, the ACPN boss said.
Corlins Walter
In order to enhance customer service and streamline operations, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has called on stakeholders in the insurance industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The President of the institute, Yetunde Ilori, made this call at the 2024 Office Representatives Committee (ORC) Workshop, organised by the institute, with the theme “AI and the Future of the Insurance Industry”, in Lagos.
Ilori at the event, emphasised the importance of AI adoption, noting that it was not a threat to jobs but rather a tool to improve efficiency across the insurance sector.
“It is not about AI taking over our jobs, but about us using AI to simplify processes and give maximum satisfaction to all the customers we serve whether as underwriters, brokers, loss adjusters, or in educating our members”, she said.
The workshop, which brought players in the insurance sector together, aimed to address how AI could be leveraged to transform business processes and improve customer interactions.
The Chairman of the ORC, Monica Nwachukwu, underscored the role of AI in modernising the industry, adding, “AI can automate customer and claims processes, allowing insurers to provide faster and more efficient services to their customers”.
She explained how AI could help extract data from legacy systems, enhancing decision-making processes.
“By integrating AI with APIs, insurers can feed valuable data into AI solutions to improve operations and customer service”, she added.
In his address, the Managing Partner of A4S and Training Heights, Orlando Odejide, stressed the need for companies to align their strategies with future technologies like AI, especially as they prepare for 2025.
“Any organisation that wants to grow into the future must have its strategic plan in place. If your strategy for 2025 is not ready, it should be done by October”, he advised.
He encouraged participants to think critically about how AI could be integrated into their business models to ensure they remain competitive.
“The idea is for you to use this workshop as a platform to think about your organization and how AI can help streamline your processes and improve growth”, Odejide noted.
In order to gain global respect and recognition, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reaffirmed its determination to pursue its goal in ensuring that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global space economy.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr. Felix Ale, NASRDA revealed that the Director-General of the agency, Matthew Adepoju, emphasised this during recent engagements at the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Global Alliance Business Association international conference in Michigan, United States.
The statement noted that Adepoju outlined a forward-thinking agenda, stressing the importance of Nigeria’s space programme as a leader in research, exploration, and technological innovation.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
“We must foster collaborations with global space agencies to enhance our satellite capabilities and technological infrastructure”, he stated.
The NASRDA boss said the agency is focusing on enhancing satellite capabilities, expanding international collaborations, and leveraging space science for national development.
He said NASRDA will have no stone unturned in pursuit of excellence, ensuring the agency secures the necessary resources and recognition to propel it forward.
“The relationships we build today will pave the way for tomorrow’s advancements in space science.
“Innovation and progress thrive in an environment built on collaboration and inclusivity”, he stated.
He emphasised that with the support of the government, international partners, and a dedicated team, NASRDA is poised to make significant strides in the evolving global space landscape.
“We are on the brink of a new era for Nigeria’s space agency. Together, we will ensure our nation stands out in the global space economy”, he said.
Corlins Walter