A review of the hotel industry in Nigeria: size, structure and issues

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the dynamics that define, govern and shape the tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria, in particular, the hotel industry with respect to its size, structure and salient issues that impact on it. Design/methodology/approach To explain the dynamics within the hotel sector, primary survey data from STR Global were used. In addition, content analysis of secondary data from government, education and industry sources were used to identify the issues within the industry. Findings The findings show positive indicators for employment and further expansion within the hotel sector in Nigeria. However, the lack of supporting institutions, legal frameworks and industry representation makes the management of human resources an area of concern. Research limitations/implications The findings of this research are limited due to the sample size and to the lack of publicly available data from government, education and industry. However, the implications suggest the need for a research agenda for the tourism and hospitality industry in Nigeria. This will create the framework to understand and improve best practices particularly with institutional frameworks, employment and human capital development. Originality/value The gap in the literature concerning any systematic review of the hotel industry in Nigeria makes this research timely, as it synthesises widely different sources into a coherent whole. This will help to form a reference point for future research in the field.

Unlocking Policy Impediments for Service Delivery in Tourism Firms: Evidence from Small and Medium Sized Hotels in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…The first, and critical, structural weakness in the hotel sector is the lack of sufficient skills and education that fail to meet the requirements of the sector (Christie et al, 2014;Salehudin, Prasad, & Osmond, 2013;Baum, 2013;Baum, 2018). The hotel sector requires highly skilled and trained employees to deliver quality services, and for international and regional independent and/or chain hotels to maintain a set standard, from which they gain their competitiveness (Ward, 2016;Nwosu, 2016;Magombo, Rogerson, & Rogerson, 2017).…”

“…All levels of government (national, regional/provincial and local) play a crucial role in hotel development within their countries, and capitalise on the development undertaken to pursue economic growth (Booysen, 2012). Part of the above involves the creation of an environment that is conducive to industry growth through policy and legislation (Nwosu, 2016).…”

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Accommodation services for competitive tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa: Historical evidence from Malawi

“…In the case of Tanzania an historical analysis reveals that upgrading of the accommodation sector was an essential component for raising the country's competitiveness to attract international leisure tourists (Salazar, 2008). Nwosu (2016) shows the historical development of the hotel industry as a critical component also of Nigeria's tourism and hospitality sector.…”

Emerging Balinese Franchised City Hotels in Legal Contexts: Toward Model Provisions of Local Government Regulation and a Self-Regulation Framework

“…By collaborating with branded international chain hotels, the number of new-build hotels increased dramatically; these hotels include the Sheraton, Hilton, Radisson Blu, Swiss International, Le Meridien, InterContinental, Best Western, Southern Sun and Sun International, and Marriot. Belinda Nwosu (2016) indicated that the significant changes over the past two decades in the THS of Nigeria have facilitated further understanding of the hotel industry and the salient issues, namely, institutional framework (system of formal laws, regulations, procedures, informal conventions, customs and norms, and restrained socio-economic and behaviors), human capital profile, and the recruitment and skill gaps (employment relationship and human capital development). 3 The review of the THS of Nigeria failed to directly elaborate on the local city hotels, but the information gathered can be considered from perspective of Nigeria, that is, the hotel industry, including local city hotels, can achieve international standards through an institutional framework, employment, and human capital development.…”