The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has urged practitioners in the hospitality and tourism industry to participate in national and international standardization to develop hospitality products and services that meet with current taste and preferences of the stakeholders in the industry.

The Director General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, who made this known recently in a lead paper presentation at the 16th International Conference of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria (HATMAN) in Abuja
Delivering a paper titled “Quality Assurance: The Hallmark for Viable Hospitality and Tourism Enterprises”, said Standardization and Quality Assurance is very critical to the growth and development of the Nigerian tourism industry, therefore.

A statement by the Director, Public Relations, Mrs. Foluso Bolaji said Salim identified tourism as one of the fastest growing industries in the world and the backbone of every country’s economy.

Represented by the Director, Management Systems Certification, Engr, Felix Nyado, the Director General explained that service quality is key to success and competitive advantage for the industry.

He informed participants at the event that SON has made available forty – four published International Standards for the tourism sector and that Nigeria is registered as a participating member of ISO/TC 228 (Tourism and Related Services).

He further enjoined stakeholders in the industry to comply with standards and quality assurance activities in order to meet with the expectations of their customers and deliver satisfactory values that will improve on their business profitability and enhance competitiveness.

The SON’s helmsman called on practitioners in the industry to use their credible social media platforms to collaborate with SON to further explore and promote Nigeria’s tourism potentials to the rest of the world and make the nation a top priority for tourists.