Lagos Yacht hotel, ready to attract tourists

Lagos Yacht hotel, ready to attract tourists
Qasim Akinreti, Lagos

The seven storey Yacht hotel at the marina shoreline in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial city is to start operation by next month following the disposition of all litigations on the hotel by interested partners.

At a ministerial briefing on Friday, the Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-governmental relations Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi said that as Lagos continues to wear a new look attracting both local and International hedonists and fun lovers to its aquatic splendour, government has reiterated its determination to make the State a preferred Tourist destination for leisure and business activities in Africa within a short period of time.

The commissioner also expressed government’s readiness to upgrade all tourist centres within the State to suit international standard.

According to him, there would be an all year and all round renovation of infrastructure to enhance the development of the sector and further attract foreign tourists to develop and invest within the State.

Citing the up-grade of Tarkwa Bay Beach, one of the natural attractions of the state,  which constitutes the unique attraction of the 180 kilometres Lagos coastline, Afikuyomi disclosed that work are on-going on Pinnacle Point Resort located at Ilado and Ilashe on the Badagry Greeks.

The Yacht

The Lagos Yacht Hotel, formerly called the Sunborn Yacht Hotel, the pride of London and Great Britain, was purchased from the Great Britain, by the Lagos state government, through a private sector funding. The Yacht berths somewhere between Marina and Lagos Boat Club.

Afikuyomi also revealed that logistics have been put in place to ensure adequate security and other infrastructure was provided for the Yacht and it would-be patrons.

The Yacht boasts of spacious suites and executive bedrooms, with the majority enjoying balconies, elegant lounges on various decks, first class restaurant and relaxing bar, all conspiring to make a patron's stay a memorable one.

The Yacht is the world's first custom-built Yacht Hotel - in Royal Victoria Dock, near Canary Wharf, which combines contemporary class and comfort. It is expected to boost tourism and new employment opportunities in Lagos State.

The private sector initiative

The Commissioner said that the invitation for Private Partnership was borne out of the need to further strengthen relationship with the Private Sectors for events and sight–seeing thereby creating economic benefits and employment opportunities for the younger generation.

Lagos State account for 65 percent of tourism services in Nigeria consisting of businesses such as Accommodation (hotels, resorts guest houses, camp sites, motels) Food Services (Fast Food Outlets, Cafeteria, Restaurants, Canteens) Transportation  (road, rail and water transportation) Parks (Zoological and botanical gardens ) Cultural Tourism  (festivals museums and monuments) Business Tourism (conventions, conferences, seminars and meetings) and Intermediary Services (travel services of travel agents and tour operators)

Williams