HMCA 2026 highlighted the growing importance of sales, service and standards as the African hotel market seeks to compete globally.
Conference expands its reach and agenda
The eighth edition of the Hotel Managers Conference Africa returned to Lagos Continental Hotel on Victoria Island, drawing more than 2,000 participants for a two‑day program. Organisers said the event has evolved from a modest gathering of Nigerian hoteliers into a continent‑wide forum where owners, investors and managers discuss business trends.
Olugbenga Omotayo Sunday, chief executive of Tojum Hospitality and the conference convener, opened the meeting by noting the shift in expectations among African travelers, investors and guests. “I am also not satisfied where our industry stands today, and that is exactly why we are here for the HMCA 2026,” he said.
Sunday recalled that the original question posed eight years ago—what does an African hotel need to compete on a global stage?—remains relevant. He argued that changing traveler preferences and heightened standards demand a focus on three pillars: sales, service and standards.
Keynote speaker Wasiu Babalola, a lawyer and professor of Hotel Management and Tourism, presented a paper titled “The Future of African Hospitality: Competing Beyond Borders.” He warned that future competition will hinge on intelligence, innovation and guest experience rather than sheer room count. Babalola outlined five priorities for a competitive continent: strategic partnerships, professional leadership, service excellence, harmonised standards and digital transformation.
Regional collaboration and sponsorship
Ghana’s tourism chief, Maame Efua Houadjeto, addressed delegates as the special guest of honour. She called for cross‑border collaboration to attract investment, raise service quality and coordinate global marketing. “Nigeria can use its strength in the global movie industry to change the narrative of Africa,” she said, urging neighboring countries to support each other’s strengths.
Related: Nigeria’s Gas Pricing Flaws Keep Investors on the Sidelines
Representatives from Lagos State and the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) praised the conference’s role in boosting the local economy and positioning Lagos as a leading MICE destination. They highlighted ongoing government policies that aim to integrate tourism into national development plans.
Financial‑services firm OPay, the headline sponsor, used the platform to showcase payment solutions tailored for hotels. Other sponsors included Huawei, Nigerian Bottling Company and Presken, all demonstrating products intended to streamline transactions in the hospitality sector.
During the awards ceremony, Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort earned the Best Holiday Resort accolade, while Lagos Continental Hotel was named Best Luxury Business Hotel in Nigeria. Graduates of the Hotel Managers School were also recognized, and a traditional‑dress contest celebrated cultural diversity across the continent.
In an unexpected turn, the conference concluded with Ghana’s bid to host the 2027 edition in Accra. Houadjeto explained that the event’s impact justifies extending the platform to new locations, and organisers expressed enthusiasm about the proposed move.
For hotel staff on the ground, these developments translate into more training opportunities and clearer career pathways. When standards rise, employees often find themselves equipped with better tools and expectations, which can lead to higher morale and lower turnover.
The conference highlighted the need for coordinated effort across sales, service and standards to improve African hospitality.