Precious Obogo
The Group General Manager of Continental Hotel, Karl Hala has asserted that the panacea for a thriving hospitality business lies in the level of training of personnel in the industry.
Speaking at the Hotel Managers Africa Conference hosted by Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Hala in a paper titled: ” Reimagining African Hospitality : Powered by People ,Built for The World” emphasized that expecting a good return on investment (ROI) in the hospitality industry starts with people.
“Untrained staff is the most expensive luxury you’ll ever pay for as an investor in the industry,” Hala said. “Meaningful investment in staff training is a crucial thing investors, owners, and policymakers in the hospitality industry must give preference to.”
Hala noted that to get a good return on investment, it’s essential to invest in talent, youth, and relevance. “You want growth? Invest in talent. You want stability? Invest in youth. You want returns? Invest in relevance,” he emphasized. “By adopting this approach, Africa can create a thriving hospitality industry that drives growth and stability.”
The Group General Manager opined that the key is to stop copying models that were never built for us and create our own operating manuals – proudly African, globally admired. “Let’s create our own operating manuals — proudly African, globally admired,” Hala said. “A broken AC is costly — but a broken training pipeline? That’s the real liability.”
According to Hala, investing in people and creating a robust training pipeline, Africa can unlock the full potential of its hospitality industry. “Let’s stop copying models that were never built for us,” he urged. “Let’s create our own operating manuals — proudly African, globally admired.”
Hala emphasized that as the hospitality industry continues to evolve, it’s essential to recognize the importance of innovation and technology. “By investing in digital tools and platforms, Africa can create a hospitality industry that is driven by innovation and technology,” he said.
With the right approach, Hala believes Africa’s hospitality industry can become a major player on the global stage. “The next global hotel icon? She may already be sitting in this room — waiting for her first opportunity,” he said. “Let’s make sure we give it to her.”
By empowering young professionals and investing in talent, Africa can create a thriving hospitality industry that is driven by innovation, technology, and a focus on local talent.