The Carison Rezidor Hotel Group has, through its Radisson Hotels franchise, injected the sum of N4billion to revive the former Gateway Hotels, Abeokuta, which is now known as Park Inn.
The hotel was one of the Ogun State Government-owned hotels leased out for 25 years by the former governor, Gbenga Daniel. This later generated controversy after the incumbent administration kicked against it, but the hotel’s new management said the crisis has been resolved.
The General Manager, Kayode Aina, said Radisson Hotels has moved to redefine tourism and hospitality business in Ogun by investing N4 billion in the sector through development of Park Inn Hotels and Suites.
“The location of Park Inn by Radisson to Abeokuta, after Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos state, was borne out of Radisson’s strategies to expand its business in Africa, coupled with the growing status of the state’s economy,” he said.
“This is the latest in a series of important hotel openings for us in Africa and we are delighted to welcome the first Park Inn by Radisson in Abeokuta, further strengthening our leading position in Africa. The growth of Ogun State’s economy has led to increased demand for hotels, and Abeokuta’s strategic location means that it has developed as a key business and leisure destination.”
Aina disclosed that the hotel was not only for the leisure of tourists, but to also domesticate “first and only internationally-branded hotel in Ogun state, which means that the state is moving on economically.”
He said as Park Inn was undergoing test run, it has employed 102 Nigerians as members of staff and spends about N300,000 daily to procure agricultural produce and food stuffs used to feed and entertain its guests, adding that the brand would go extra miles to satisfy its guests.
The Manager explained that Park Inn by Radisson in Abeokuta, which has a total of 173 rooms with free wireless high-speed internet facility, world standard bar and grill, swimming pool, restaurant, gym, indoor games, will also feature useful adds-on, amusement park and other recreational facilities for children’s delight as well as discerning adults as the business grows.
He added that every guest of Park Inn would be entitled to Club Carlson Membership which offers global discounts for every money spent at all 1,370 hotels owned and controlled by Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Worldwide, saying “you as our guest, whatever we need to make your stay pleasurable and delightful, will be our core services.”
He however, requested government to help grow tourism and hospitality sector of Nigerian economy through the provision enabling policies and infrastructure that would make the sector competitive and vibrant, adding that about 25-30 percent of daily expenses goes to independent power generation since the power distribution from national grid is poorly low.