No fewer than 15 African countries will participate in the sixth edition of the Hotels Managers Conference and Awards (HMCA) scheduled to hold in Lagos.

Olugbenga Sunday, convener of HMCA, disclosed in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

He said that the conference slated to hold from July 13 to July 14, would attract participants from Kenya, Botswana, Uganda, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, and Rwanda, among others.

According to him, the conference seeks to upgrade the total hotel business operations in Nigeria and Africa to match what is obtainable in other hotels internationally.

“The Hotel Managers Conference and Awards was envisioned for hotel managers in Africa to upgrade their skills, network, and find hotel job opportunities.

“Our core focus is toward building capacities in the human resources in hospitality brands in Africa, both international and indigenous brands, in administration and general operations standards.

“While over 400 participants from across Nigeria are signed up for the two-day gathering, for the first time, the event will attract delegates from African countries with over 15 countries registered for the event.

“Also, attending the event are delegates from the United Kingdom,” he said.

According to him, the minister of tourism, Lola Ade-John, will be the chief host and is expected to deliver an address to the August gathering on Nigeria’s agenda for the industry.

Mr Sunday, also the lead consultant at Tojum Hospitality, revealed the theme for the conference as “Innovative Strategies: Nurturing Resilience and Excellence in Guest Experience in African Hospitality”.

“In the dynamic landscape of hospitality, innovation becomes the cornerstone for fostering resilience and achieving excellence in guest experience.

“This conference will unravel groundbreaking strategies that go beyond conventional approaches.

“From harnessing cutting-edge technologies to cultivating a resilient mindset, attendees will explore how innovation becomes the catalyst for elevating guest experiences to unprecedented levels,” he said.

Mr Sunday said some of the speakers slated to lead discussions during the panel sessions include: Karl Hala, group general manager of Continental Hotels in Nigeria; Olufemi Abayomi, founder, Nethermentor, regional chairman – Institute Of Hospitality (UK) Nigeria region; and Lydia Akuna, lecturer, department Of hotel and hospitality management, Moi University-Eldoret, Kenya.

He said others are: Dr Michael Pinder, general manager, JS Signature Hotel, Port Harcourt; Ekene Nnabuihe, group chief executive officer, Boulevard Hotel Group Lagos Nigeria; Justina Ovat, national president, Women In Hospitality Nigeria; Molly Apion, chairperson, Hotel General Manager’s Association and more.

(NAN)