Sander Willemsen, a seasoned hotelier with more than 25 years of experience in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and South East Asia; in 2005 founded Willemsen Hospitality Ghana Ltd; a company offering full management and consultancy services for the hospitality industry. His years of experience contribute a lot in the successful management of 5 Star Hotel in Abuja. Excerpts:
Having been in the business of hospitality both in Ghana and Nigeria for years now, how is your experience on hospitality in Africa?
West Africans are very friendly and understand the concept of hospitality. Knowledge is an issue, however, since most of the staff working in hotels in West Africa have never travelled and do not understand the expectations of the international travellers.
A big issue is that most independently owned hotels do not have sound financial management, salaries are usually too low which creates a situation that staff is more concentrating on finding alternative sources of income rather than concentrating on their job.
Most hotels have maintenance issues since there is no proper preventive maintenance plan in place and also there are no proper reservations in the budget for replacement of FF&E or Capex.
Grant Towers Hotels and Resorts is one of the successful 5 star luxury hotels in Abuja, how have you been able to achieve this and others of its investments?
Grand Towers Hotel Abuja is owned by Grand Towers Plc. Willemsen Hospitality manages the hotel on behalf of the owners. Actually the Grand Towers Hotel is the ONLY 5 star hotel in Abuja. The concept of boutique hotel combined with excellent service and facilities has created a positive reputation in Abuja.
Strong marketing activities with a focus on online marketing, social media marketing etc has generated the necessary revenues and profits for the owner company.
How does Grand Towers offer full management services for independent hotels?
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Source: Sander Willemsen (2014). African Hospitality Requires Quality, Knowledge of the Industry – Willemsen, All Africa http://allafrica.com/stories/201403170797.html published Mar 15, 2014. Viewed Mar 18, 2014.