From Idu Jude Abuja
Leadership of Hotel Owners Forum, Abuja, has again cried out over the mirage of challenges affecting business operations ranging from land use contravention, multiplicity of taxes as well as incessant harassment by Government agencies.
 President of the Forum, Barrister Fumi Kassim, made the desperate call Tuesday in Abuja, while making an opening remark to usher in participants for a three day Hotel Business Conference and Expo 2022, with the theme, ‘ Digital Hospitality and Hotel Management, Funding and Reality.
According to the HOFA President, that the industry which remains the second highest employer of labour in Nigeria after the Federal Government, has suffered several duplication of responsibilities, negative impact of covid 19 pandemic and incessant harassment by Government agencies across Nigeria and particularly the FCT.
She said that despite, these challenges, that it is gratifying to see membership of the forum grow from strength to strength each year.
Barrister Fumi, said, “We are honoured to see a changing skyline of hotel sector not just in Abuja but in Nigeria at large with massive growing hotels. We also have bed and breakfast and apartments across the country while contributing immensely to the GDP of Abuja and country”
She noted that the hospitality industry, hotel in particular, are the second largest employer of labour in Abuja after the Federal Government hence lack of industry in the Nigeria’s capital city to create employment opportunities.
Barrister Fumi Kassim, in her submission, said that the conference is designed to be an annual one to help address the many issues facing the hospitality industry management, with the array of hospitality experts to educate the managers on how to better their lots.
While speaking, in a key not address, Chairman board of trustees Hotel Owners Forum Abuja, Sir, Chika Dada Chiejina, observed that over two decades of robust existence, that this is the very first edition of hotel business conference where all hotel investors, operators of hotel value chain,  suppliers, government agencies with allied interests in hotel activities are brought together under one roof to progress positivity in a common intrest in the development of the sub sector.
The HoFA BOT Chairman, further commended the effort of the President, whom he said spare headed the first edition of the hotel business conference in the FCT and in Nigeria in general.
He said, “by this outing today, you have not only reinforced the vision of the founding fathers, of our great association. You have made clear the and bold statement on the trajectory that HoFA will follow in our near future”.
The conference is expected to produce management focus that will address huge challenges facing the sector and also to optimize international standards of operation.