From Bauchi: Bashir Abubakar
The Bauchi State Government has empowered the State Tourism Board to regulate the operations of hotels and recreation centres across the state as part of efforts to sanitize and strengthen the hospitality sector.
The Managing Director of the Bauchi State Tourism Board, Dr. Nasiru Muhammad Yusuf disclosed this during a Stakeholders’ Dialogue with hotel operators and recreation centre managers, jointly organised by the State Shari’ah Commission and the Tourism Board recently in Bauchi, the State Capital.
Yusuf, however revealed that the board will soon unveil a digital innovation system designed to capture and monitor all hotels operating in the state, thereby ensuring effective regulation and compliance with laid-down standards.
He explained that the board is set to work closely with the Hotels Association of Nigeria (Bauchi Chapter) to eliminate unwholesome practices in the sector, particularly those that contravene Shari’ah laws. He further announced plans to introduce Halal Tourism and Medical Tourism as part of strategies to boost the state’s revenue base and reposition Bauchi as a preferred tourist destination.
He further maintained that the board will continue to collaborate with the Shari’ah Commission, security agencies, community and religious leaders, as well as hotel associations, to ensure strict compliance. He added that such stakeholders’ engagements will now be held on a quarterly basis to strengthen monitoring and collaboration.
The MD has thrown his weight behind, His Excellency, Governor Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State for creating an enabling environment for hospitality industry through improved infrastructure, enhanced security, and friendly tax policies, stressing that the board remains committed to keying into the Governor’s vision of “My Bauchi Project”.
