Hospitality Professionals from across Africa will gather in Lagos on July 11 and 12 for the eighth edition of the Hotel Managers Conference Africa (HMCA), where industry leaders will discuss strategies to improve service delivery, strengthen policy support, develop the workforce and enhance the competitiveness of Africa’s hospitality sector.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting with members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of Tojum Hospitality and Convener of HMCA, Olugbenga Sunday, said the conference has grown into one of Africa’s leading hospitality platforms since it was launched in 2016.
The conference, themed “Raising the Bar: Sales, Service and Standards for a Competitive Africa,” will hold at the Grand African Ballroom of Lagos Continental Hotel and is expected to attract participants from Nigeria and 13 African countries.
Sunday said HMCA was established to bridge the gap between indigenous hotel brands and international chains by exposing hotel managers to global best practices and promoting knowledge exchange across the industry.
According to him, the initiative has helped improve service delivery over the past eight years, with many indigenous hotels now offering standards comparable to international four- and five-star establishments.
He noted that capacity building remains the conference’s core objective, with this year’s programme featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, masterclasses, mentoring sessions, business networking and exhibitions showcasing hospitality technology and innovative operational solutions.
Sunday also highlighted the growing adoption of digital technology in hotel operations, saying smart solutions have enhanced payment systems, check-in processes and overall guest experience.
Despite the progress, he identified multiple taxation, poor infrastructure, flooding, insecurity and rising electricity costs as major challenges affecting hotel operators, urging governments to implement policies that create a more enabling environment for the industry.
He added that HMCA continues to advocate improved staff welfare, encouraging hotel owners to provide better salaries, health insurance, pensions and other employee benefits to strengthen the sector’s workforce.
Sunday further disclosed that the conference has secured the endorsement of the Ghana Tourism Authority, whose Chief Executive Officer will attend this year’s event as Guest of Honour. Discussions are also underway for Ghana to host a future edition of HMCA.
The conference will feature the graduation of nearly 90 students from the Hotel Managers School, alongside an awards ceremony recognising outstanding hotels and hospitality professionals.
He attributed HMCA’s sustained growth to the support of partners and sponsors, including OPay, Huawei, Lagos Continental Hotel, Continental Hotels Group, Radisson Blu, Marriott, Eko Hotels and EbonyLife, stressing that sponsors are selected based on the value they bring to the hospitality industry.
The breakfast meeting formed part of ANJET’s ongoing engagement with stakeholders to promote dialogue and support the growth of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry.
