April 25, (THEWILL) – The Coordinator of the South-South Tourism Roundtable Steering Committee, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, has described the Governor-elect of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, as a creative problem-solver, adding that successful hospitality leaders possess the ability to think creatively to solve problems that confront them.
He made the remark while felicitating Pastor Eno on his 59th birthday on Monday, April 24, 2023, when he visited the Pioneer Chairman of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, adding that hospitality executives are usually innovative and proactive.
According to Dr. Kiyaramo, who is also the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Tourism, hospitality executives are naturally persistent and willing to do tasks that will make them successful, pointing out that hospitality is a dynamic industry, and as such, executives in the sector are trained to handle several tasks at a time.
He said the Governor-elect has shown competence and proficiency in his hospitality businesses, being an organised administrator who is detail-oriented, thorough and accurate, maintaining that the training of a hospitality executive has inculcated the drive and willingness to take risks and to be always accountable to people, informing that Pastor Eno would bring such capacity to bear in his incoming administration
He said, “Hospitality leaders deal with guests, who are visiting or travelling for a variety of purposes, and every guest experience is unique. They must be able to prioritise their tasks, follow through, delegate, and meet deadlines. Good organisation and good time management lead to less stress, not only for the person doing the tasks but also for that person’s staff and coworkers.
“Good time management has another benefit for hospitality managers: shorter hours. Shorter working hours mean there is time for outside interests, such as hobbies and volunteering, things that are fulfilling and help make life interesting.
“People who work in hospitality are interested in helping other people. They want to make a person’s special day even better or to turn a person’s bad day into a good one. Those with a hospitality mindset, who stay in the industry for years, are those who appreciate such rewarding experiences. More importantly, they are able and willing to see a situation from the customer’s point of view.”
The Pioneer Chairman of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Mr. Usen Udoh, on his part, noted that the Governor-elect has been a very positive, enthusiastic, and cheerful hospitality industry actor with a generous outlook on life, which will translate into people-oriented leadership that will take Akwa Ibom State to the next level as a preferred pleasure tourism destination.
“Good hospitality executives know how to listen, not just with their ears, but with their entire body. Because it is not only about what the guest tells them, it’s also about their non-verbal communication: are they nervous, stressed, do they seem a little lost? What is the guest telling them between the lines?
“In the service sector and wider hospitality industry, a person with a good attitude is a pleasure to be around, and that’s good for every customer and co-worker alike.
“Rather than thinking, ‘Oh no, this one is going to be trouble,’ a hospitable executive thinks, ‘This person looks like he’s having a rough day, and he is probably tired and hungry. I’m going to make sure that he leaves here smiling. That is a leader who shows compassion and reason with the followers at all times,” Udoh said.
