Ikogosi Resort, 23 other hospitality outfits receive outstanding service awards
Tourism
Stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry have rewarded the management of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort Limited, Ekiti State, and 23 other hospitality outfits for their outstanding performance, resolving to work assiduously towards improving and sustaining service delivery in the country in line with global standards.
The outfits received the awards at the fifth edition of the Hotel Managers Conference (HMC) recently held in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
At the event held at Swiss International Hotel, Owerri, the stakeholders urged industry players to continue to stick to standards.
They gave kudos to the management and staff of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort for their outstanding service, especially for being the only resort that provides warm and cold springs in the world.
Those who spoke included the convener of the event, Olugbenga Omotayo Sunday, a leading hospitality, tourism and travel consultant; and the General Manager of Gocient Hospitality Limited, owners of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, Lanre Balogun.
Sunday said: “The selection process was very transparent by the panel. Entries, nominations of the awardees were done well. Performance and professionalism towards customer satisfaction were considered.”
On his part, Balogun, who appreciated the Best Holiday Resort in Nigeria award given to Ikogosi Warm Springs and Resort, said the outfit he superintends was proud to be rewarded, adding that it was heartwarming to be associated with others who have taken the industry to enviable height.
His words: “We have transformed the economy of Ekiti State. Let us support ourselves. You don’t need to japa. Nigeria is a blessed country. Ikogosi is the only resort that has cold and warm springs in the world, with serenity and staff members of over 125 and indirect staff of over 800 people. Emphasis is on job, job, and job for our people.
“The hospitality sector in Nigeria is the most lucrative in the world and we have not even tapped 30 percent of it. What we need to make more viable is power. We took over Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort barely six months ago but before this time the place was a dead zone but we have turned it around. It was concessioned to Glocient Limited by the Ekiti State government for certain years. The award is simply a recognition of what we have already done with Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and we are going to replicate it.”
