At the 2025 edition of the International Hospitality, Tourism and Eco-Sustainability Forum (IHTEF 8.0) held in Abuja Continental recently, the Group General Manager Continental Hotels Nigeria Karl Hala has said that character, culture, and care of the people are the greatest asset in the hospitality industry and this is why the sector is neither built on concrete nor manufacture products but craft experiences that come to life only through people.
Hala who said this during his keynote remark at the conference titled “People First. Youth Forward. Hospitality Reimagined,” said the youths are Nigeria’s Untapped Hospitality Superpower. “These vibrant majority of Nigeria are the most underutilised superpower in the hospitality sector today. Why should a young Nigerian dream of leaving for a Swiss hotel school in Lausanne when the future of hospitality excellence can – and should – be taught right here in Lagos, Abuja, or Enugu? We must shift the mindset from ‘escape to Europe’ to ‘build from Nigeria.’ From seeing hospitality as a fallback option to understanding it as a fast-growing, rewarding, global career path.”
He continued: “Technology may enhance efficiency, but it is empathy that creates loyalty. Buildings can be beautiful, but it is the people within that make a guest return. Our industry is not built on concrete – it is built on the character, culture, and care of its people. From housekeepers to chefs, concierges to engineers – are brand ambassadors, economic enablers, and peacebuilders. Hospitality, at its core, is humanity in action. This is why at Continental Hotels, we don’t just hire – we develop. We believe in career paths, not just payroll numbers.
We are actively mapping out growth trajectories for young talents – from internships to leadership pipelines.
We’re investing in mentorship, training academies, and skills acceleration programs that open doors to becoming not just supervisors – but general managers, owners, and innovators. Our goal is clear: to create a future where a young Nigerian can proudly say, I was trained, mentored, and celebrated by Nigerian hotels – and now I lead on the global stage.”
Hala further noted that the future of the hospitality industry is local, sustainable and smart. “Let’s build the Lagos School of Hospitality Excellence. Let’s make Abuja Hospitality Institute a reference point for West Africa. Let’s teach green hotel operations, digital guest experience, and Afrocentric service leadership. Let’s ensure that sustainability is not a section in a brochure – but a reality in every kitchen, every linen policy, every energy meter. Imagine a hotel graduate who knows how to respect culture, save energy, delight guests, and uplift teams – that’s the kind of workforce Nigeria can export to the world, or proudly retain.”