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The Association of Tourism, Hospitality, Food and Beverage Operators of Nigeria (ATHFBON), Enugu State chapter, in collaboration with the Enugu State government, has mobilised hospitality business owners, stakeholders and workers across the state for its one-day training summit scheduled for Thursday, November 12.
The summit, organised in partnership with the state Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is expected to bring together operators in the hotel, restaurant, catering, fast-food, bar and other hospitality sectors to discuss industry challenges, improve professional standards and explore opportunities for growth.
The state chairman of ATHFBON, Gilbert Udeh, urged operators to register with the association ahead of the event, stressing that a united platform was necessary to address the challenges confronting businesses in the sector.
He said the association was established to provide hospitality operators with a common voice in dealing with the government’s agencies, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders.
He listed concerns such as alleged harassment by taskforces, regulatory challenges, access to finance, rising operating costs and the absence of a coordinated platform for resolving disputes as some of the issues the association seeks to address.
“If we stand together, the government will respect us, banks will respect us and customers will respect us,” the chairman said, urging operators to see membership as an opportunity to strengthen their businesses and contribute to the development of the industry.
He further stated that the state Ministry of Culture and Tourism had recognised ATHFBON as a platform representing hospitality operators in the state, adding that the ministry’s partnership in the summit would provide an opportunity for engagement, training and capacity development.
The association is encouraging businesses and individuals in the sector to complete their registration before the summit. Its membership categories include corporate registration for establishments such as hotels, restaurants, lounges, catering companies and fast-food outlets, as well as individual registration for owners, managers, chefs, cooks, waiters, bartenders and other hospitality workers.
He called on operators across the state to participate in the exercise, saying, “Let us all register before November 12, so that on that day, you will be recognised as a full member, not as a visitor.”
According to the chairman, registered members were expected to benefit from industry training, business networking, representation, welfare support and opportunities arising from the association’s engagements with the government’s institutions and private-sector partners.
He added that the association was also pursuing arrangements to improve members’ access to business support and essential supplies.
