Swiss International, a-Switzerland-based global brand in hotel and resort management, on Monday said Nigeria was among the fastest growing tourist and business destinations in the world.
The General Manager of Swiss International Mabisel-Port Harcourt, Mr Martin De Boer, said this at the ?soft opening? of a 117-room five-star hotel in the town.
De Boer said that the nation?s tourism sector was globally competitive due to its hospitality, cultural diversity, large population and historic sites like slave routes.
He said that Nigeria had the best tourist attraction and hospitality destination in the West African sub-region.
?The soft opening of Swiss international mabisel-Port Harcourt is a pivotal moment in the tremendous growth and development of Nigeria, which is a vital business hub of the West African economy.
?Swiss International, in partnership with Mabisel, a local company, has invested over N2 billion and a further N110 million on roads to bring the Swiss values and luxury to Nigerians.
?Nigeria is a focus country for our business development and so we are focussed on creating a hotel of the highest standard that is needed, profitable and creates employment for Nigerians.
?Investing in Nigeria makes sense in every way; the country is the most populous in Africa and its economy is about to overtake that of South Africa as the continent?s biggest.
?The economic growth forecast is extremely optimistic and it has immense resources that the rest of the world wants.
?That means the world travels to Nigeria, thereby making it the fastest growing tourist and business destination in the world.
?The reality is that Nigeria has a taste of what it means to flourish economically and so, Swiss International Mabisel-Port Harcourt as an investor, has invested wisely,? he said.
De Boer said that the hospitality industry provided thousands of skilled and unskilled jobs for Nigerians which, he said, were particularly critical to the country?s economy.
He said it had employed over 90 people and would soon recruit more staff to enable it to ?set a new benchmark for five-star hotel in Nigeria and particularly in the Niger Delta?.
De Boer gave the assurance that the company would provide community services as part of its corporate social responsibility.
The Swiss International representative to Nigeria, Mrs Oluwatosin David-Akintunde, said the hotel would meet and exceed expectations of both local and international travellers.
She said that the hotel would offer tourists a unique experience and the Nigerian hospitality.
?Tourism is a phenomenal FOREX that contributes to national development and prosperity, and so we will be providing Nigerians and foreigners the best luxury in a world class environment,? she said.