World Tourism Day: Imo hoteliers cry out over multiple taxations

As the world celebrates World Tourism Day, hoteliers in Imo State have raised alarm over what they described as multiple taxation and exploitation.

The Chairman of Imo State Hotel Owners Association, Mr Chima Chukwuemeka, also condemned the use of revenue agents by the government to exploit the members of the hospitality industry in the state.

Chukwunyere while speaking to newsmen on the occasion of the 2021 World Tourism Day in Owerri, appealed to the government in power, to as a matter of urgency, address the issue, as a way to boost the industry.

He reminded the state government that the hospitality industry in the state is the second largest employer of labour in Imo State, adding that the government should acknowledge the roles hoteliers played to reduce unemployment in the state.

While he reiterated the resolve and readiness of the hoteliers in the state to partner with the government, the MD of Domino Paramount Hotel and Towers called on the government to encourage hotel business in the state.

He said: “if hotels in Imo State are filled up with customers and activities, there is nothing that would prevent hotel owners from paying their taxes to the government.”

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Chukwunyere called for a synergy between the hotel owners and government adding that Tourism cannot exist or boom effectively anywhere without hotels because tourism only exists where there are hotels.

On security, the chairman said that reliable and dependable security would encourage and promote tourism.

He decried the unhealthy activities of urchins and miscreants, who rampantly operated unhindered and with impunity which according to him had impeded the growth and development of the hospitality industry in the state.

The chairman, while charging the government in power to take the bull by the horn to restore the dignity of the tourism industry by checking the excesses of those undesirable elements, commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his relentless efforts to rid the state of all manner of criminal elements aimed at making life meaningful for the people.

In his address marking the day, the Commissioner for Tourism, Mazi Uche Ohia, said that the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day Celebration, “Tourism for Inclusive Growth” “is in tandem with the vision of Governor Hope Uzodimma which is to make Imo State an irresistible destination for business, heritage, conferences, educational and medical amongst other things.”

The commissioner reviewed the roadmap of the ministry which is geared towards reappraisal and rehabilitation of tourist sites, inspection, grading, training and recertification of hospitality facilities to enhance access to all tourism clusters.

Mazi Ohia said that already his ministry was working with optimism to harness the tourist potentials of the state “because there is a tourist-friendly governor in the state who in synergy with stakeholders will bring a wind of positive change that blows in the tourism sector in the state.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE