Hoteliers Association to host first Calabar Hospitality Fiesta

THE Hoteliers Association of Cross River (HACR) has announced plans for the hosting of the maiden edition of the Calabar Hospitality Fiesta (ALHOSFI) this year..
According to the Chairman of HACR, Mr Charles Ogar, the event is in collaboration with Celebrity Planet 9JA; organisers of Miss Hospitality Beauty Pageant, top make the event a grand one.
‘‘The objective is for it to be the largest and most comprehensive business and leisure event for the hospitality industry in Cross River State,’’ said Ogar,
He added that it is going to be the first of its kind in the state and it is billed to hold between October 28 and November 1, 2015 at the Municipal Garden, Calabar.
Hoteliers Association Cross River, which is a registered corporate body and the umbrella association for hotels and other tourism establishments in the state, according to him, ‘‘seeks to promote and protect the business interests of members.’’

‘‘CALHOSFI is an initiative that seeks to provide networking opportunity for hospitality business practitioners, access to high value customers, sales and marketing platform, reviewing the state of the industry through interactions and showcasing company products and services in the industry.

In addition, the event would display the beauty and talents of young Cross Riverians, Showcasing the comparative advantage of our diverse and enchanting gastronomy while some of the activities slated for the five days gathering include courtesy calls, city walk, welcome reception, food fair/exhibition, talk shops, beauty pageant and gala night.

‘‘It’s going to be a colourful event that will span through more than five days of business and social interaction.  Above all, it’s hoped that this will metamorphose to a fulfilling business and pleasure event in our tourism calendar that will attract traffic to our hotels yearly,’’ said Ogar.

Ogar also lamented the poor economic nature of the state, especially that of hospitality, which he said has been affected by low tourist traffic to the state. ‘‘It’s no more news that the states economy, especially the hospitality sector, is in dire straits.

‘‘The industry had witnessed a geometric growth of hotels numbering more than 300 over the years but now confronted with the harsh reality of stagnation in guest arrivals into Calabar.

He fingered the poor access to the state, lack of economic activities and tourist attractions as some of the factors response for the poor tourists’ arrival to the state.

However, he commended the effort of the governor of the state, Professor Ben Ayade who he said since assuming office has initiated a number of projects, which on completion would boost tourism business and the economy of the state, this include Calabar sea port and super highway.