By Kachy Madukaego
Nigeria Hoteliers Association Imo State Chapter has described 2024 business year as being characterized with challenges emanating from insecurity, electricity and economic situation.
The Managing Director of Rivonia Garden Hotel Irete, Chief Ifeanyi Igwe stated this at their 2024 end of the year party held on Tuesday 10th December at Rockview Hotel Owerri with the theme “New hope for hospitality business in Imo state.”
Accordingly to him, “we faced alot of challenges mainly this year but we strongly believe that next year 2025 will be a better year for hospitality business in Imo state. We are going to bounce back because Imo state is known for hospitality, people travel from far and wide to come and jolly in the state.
“However, the current situation in the state is affecting us badly more than every other business in Imo state hence we solicit that our able governor Sen. Hope Uzodinma to come to our aide, let there be a rapid turn around in the hospitality business in 2025, we also appreciate the effort he has put in so far.”
Chief Ifeanyi Igwe who also doubled as the Planning Committee Chairman of the 2024 end of the year party noted that hospitality industry is the second largest employer of labour in Imo state, adding that it is the only industry the state has at hand at the moment, as once it is revived the socio- economic status of the state will improve.
He further advised their members to apply all security measures while attending to their guests especially during this festive season stressing that security check and comfortability should be prioritized to make people who are returning for Christmas feel at home.