Governor Alex Otti says he is committed to revolutionising the state’s hospitality sector as part of a broader plan to drive state-wide economic development.

Mr Otti disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting with the Hotel Proprietors Association in Abia at the Government House, Umuahia.

The governor said that technology remains central to the Rebuild Agenda of the present administration. He urged the hoteliers to modernise their operations and service delivery in order to attract more customers. He said that the State Government seeks a productive partnership with the private sector, because collaboration remains key to achieving sustainable growth.

The governor announced that a tech-based system for hotel ratings, advertising, and increased visibility would be introduced, allowing potential guests to evaluate facilities beforehand.

“There are certain facilities that you have to advertise that will make people evaluate and rank your hotels even before they come. That’s one thing the government wants to do: to inject technology into driving Abia’s economy, and this will not be done without your productive collaboration in this matter.

“We’re using money to get money. Therefore, if we want to upgrade and upscale the services, the facilities will also be upgraded. Government is out to partner the entire private sector in order to drive this. The government cannot create all the jobs, but we will be able to do that in partnership with the organised private sector.

“We are all pursuing the same vision and goal in order to make sure that the hotel business in Abia is upscaled to measure up and match what is obtainable in the international ecosystem,” Mr Otti said.

He acknowledged the hoteliers’ concern about multiple taxation and assured them of his administration’s commitment to providing a solution. He restated the need for government and businesses to collaborate and described the existing synergy as crucial for a mutually beneficial outcome.

(NAN)