Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr Farouk Salim has emphasised on Standardisation and Quality Assurance as critical to the growth and development of the tourism industry.
He made this known at the 16th International Conference of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria (HATMAN) in Abuja.
The Director-General called on practitioners in the hospitality and tourism industry to endeavour to participate in national and international standardisation to develop hospitality products and services that meet with current taste and preferences of the stakeholders in the industry.
Represented by the Director, Management Systems Certification, Mr Felix Nyado, Mr Salim explained that the tourism industry was products and service oriented, and quality was key to success and competitive advantage.
He informed participants at the event that SON has made available 44 published International Standards for the sector and that Nigeria is registered as a participating member of ISO/TC 228.
The Director-General further enjoined stakeholders in the industry to comply with standards and quality assurance in order to meet the expectations of their customers which will improve profitability and enhance competitiveness.
