Abuja — National Productivity Centre (NPC) yesterday commenced training of workers in the hospitality business in order to promote productivity and quality of service in the industry.

NPC officials said the training was necessitated by observed lapses in service delivery in a survey it conducted on the level of productivity in the Abuja hotel industry, which it said is critical to economic development of the country.

NPC's Director General Dr. Bdliya explained that tourism plays a significant role in any economy as a big money earner.

Represented by the centre's Director of Finance and Administration, Jibrin Musa Yelwa, Bdliya regretted that the industry in Nigeria is largely ignored and the potentials untapped but the hospitality sector, adding that hotels form an essential component is the backbone of the tourism industry.

"Having identified the importance of hotels in the hospitality industry, NPC in collaboration with Hotel Owners Forum of Abuja (HOFA) and the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NITOUR), organised this workshop with a view to improving productivity in this vital sector of the economy" he added.

He said part of the objectives of the training include to identity and examine various challenges facing the hotel industry, promote qualitative service in hotel industry through good housekeeping practices as well as acquaint participants with productivity improvement tools and techniques for higher performance.

"It would also assist participants to develop strategies for managing human resources for effective service delivery," he added.

Participants expressed their joy with the training, saying it would have a positive impact on service delivery, while guaranteeing maximum returns to the industry.