Tourism Minister, Lola Ade-John, to attend IHTEF conference

The 7th edition of International Hospitality Tourism and Eco-Sustainability Forum (IHTEF) sets to hold this April 24-25 at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel (Former Sheraton Hotel).

Nigeria’s Honourable Minister for Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade-John is confirmed to attend as the Special Guest of Honour as well as declare the conference and EXPO open.

Tourism Minister, Lola Ade-John

Executive Director of the IHTEF, Mr Chibuikem Diala, disclosed this in a release made available to newsmen, on Wednesday.

IHTEF is a Hospitality focused intellectual marketplace, a ‘platform of minds’ that brings together, thought leaders, influential government figures, project developers, hotel managers, visionaries, investors, hotel owners, consumers and sustainability enthusiasts.

2024 being the 7th edition is an epoch in itself, hence the need to ’emerge together’ with a sustainability thinking of how hospitality businesses should be done in the light of the emerging green economy.

The theme “Emerge Together; Reimagining a Green Hospitality Economy” innovatively links with SDG 11 and intersect between hospitality circular economy, effective resource maximization, green finance; HR roles -in managing GEN Z workforce, quality skills and standards for a new hospitality economy.

The renowned hospitality consultant and Managing Director, W Hospitality, Trevor Ward; Prof Wasiu Babalola, Atiba University, Oyo and Dr Belinda Nwosu of Lagos business school are the Keynote Speakers.

The Conference also features High Level Panel sessions with industry leaders and experts in hospitality design, operations, financing, management, revenue, service and sustainability.

Godfrey Tapela Senior Investment Officer on Tourism and Retail at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) will speak on Decarbonising the Hospitality sector, green- financing, building and certification.

Mr Karl Hala, Group General Manager, Continental Hotels; Arc Dipo Adebo of DAA Architects; Damilola Adepoju, Director Lodging & Development, Marriott West Africa; Mr Adedayo Adesugba, Vice Chair, Association of Tourism and Hospitality Consultants of Nigeria (ATHCON); Mrs. Oluwasoromidayo George, Director Corporate Affair & Sustainable Business, Nigeria Bottling Company and Ahmed Raza of Radisson Blu Anchorage will be among the panelists.

Also joining the panel include Mr Ekene Nnabuihe, CEO Boulevard Hotel Group; Dewald Kruger, The Envoy Abuja; Mrs Kehinde Daniel, Kots Catering; Ms Idy Ekwo, Hospitality Connect, Worldwide; Alain Salameh, General Manager, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham; and Toni Cheikwafah of Beer Barn.

Registration for the conference is open at www.ihtefafrica.com

The Abuja Hotel Expo, a transaction ground to promote products and services, build brand visibility and connect with potential customers will hold for two days alongside the conference.

Visitors can visit the EXPO free daily from Ten O’clock till 5pm.

Also, the conference will close on the 25 April with the the prestigious Hotel Industry Excellence & Sustainability Awards (HIESA) The Hotel Industry Excellence & Sustainability Award (HIESA), is the hospitality industry’s renowned premium award event that recognizes and rewards organizations and individuals that have helped in the growth, development and sustainability of the hospitality and tourism sector.