More than 1,000 stakeholders from 16 African countries converged in Lagos for the 8th Hotel Managers Conference Africa, HMCA 2026 as the drive to raise service standards and improve Africa’s competitiveness in the global hospitality industry took centre stage.
The Lagos State Government used the conference to call for greater innovation, professionalism and collaboration across the hospitality sector to unlock tourism-driven economic growth, job creation and cultural exchange on the continent.
Speaking at the opening of the conference held at the InterContinental Hotel, Victoria Island, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said Africa must deliberately raise service standards to position its hospitality industry for global competitiveness.
Benson-Awoyinka who was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Taoreed Dosunmu, welcomed delegates from across Nigeria, Africa and beyond, conveying the goodwill of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the people of Lagos State.
She described the conference theme, “Raising the Bar: Sales, Service and Standards for a Competitive Africa,” as timely, noting that opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), increasing intra-African travel and growing global demand for authentic African experiences require deliberate efforts to improve service delivery.
According to her, today’s travellers seek more than accommodation, expecting destinations that combine culture, cuisine, entertainment, safety and exceptional customer experience.
She urged hotel operators to build stronger partnerships with airlines, tour operators, event organisers, technology firms and players in the creative industry to develop integrated tourism products that showcase Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
The Commissioner stressed that while infrastructure attracts visitors, consistent service quality is what builds loyalty and sustains destination competitiveness.
She also reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment and sustainable tourism growth through continued investments in infrastructure, transportation, security, destination marketing and the creative economy under the THEMES+ development agenda.
Earlier, Convener of the Hotel Managers Conference Africa, Mr. Olugbenga Sunday, described the conference as a platform dedicated to transforming Africa’s hospitality industry into one capable of competing with the world’s best.
He said service standards must move beyond documented policies to become part of everyday customer experience, driven by commitment, continuous improvement and a culture of excellence.
Sunday disclosed that the conference attracted over 1,000 participants from 16 African countries and announced the graduation of 80 participants from the Hotel Managers School, an online leadership and management institution established to develop skilled professionals for Africa’s hospitality industry.