Let’s build our own global hotel brands — Labadi Beach Hotel MD

THE Managing Director of Labadi Beach Hotel, David Eduaful has called for deliberate measures to build local world class hotel brands in the country.

He said while attracting global brands into the hotel industry was not a bad idea, this should not be done at the detriment of local brands.

Speaking at the just ended Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), he said  globally, people are drawn to big brands and want to see them in their countries, which is beneficial.

“However, we must also focus on developing our own African brands. I believe in growing the African brand.

While big brands contribute to technology transfer and business growth, they sometimes hinder local development by bringing in their own top managers rather than training locals for leadership positions,” he said.

To truly grow the hotel industry, he said the country must invest in developing local talent.

Commenting on the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry, he said AI had the potential to revolutionise the industry by improving efficiency and guest services.

However, he said the industry must not overlook the importance of the human element.

“While AI can enhance our operations, hospitality is fundamentally about people, and we must ensure that the human touch is preserved,” he said.

Hospitality forum

This year’s Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) attracted hundreds of industry stakeholders from across the continent and beyond, not only to discuss the current state of the industry but also to shape its future.

Hosted in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, AHIF 2024 welcomed both experts in the hospitality field and newcomers eager to connect, learn and stay abreast of the ever-changing dynamics of hospitality operations.

Mr Eduaful, who was participating in the event for the first time said this was the right forum to bring together the best minds to generate valuable information for policymakers.

“This can help create policies that will foster the growth of the hospitality business across the continent,” he said.