Hotel operators in Oyo Town, on Thursday, decried what they described as zero patronage of their facilities, in spite of the ongoing World Sango Festival in the town.
In separate interviews with our correspondent in the town, they expressed displeasure over what they called “poor patronage”.
Correspondent report that some of the hotels visited recorded one or two lodgers, while others recorded zero patronage.
The Sango Festival, which started eight days ago, is an annual festival that is celebrated during the month of August in the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo.
It is a special day used to celebrate Sango, a popular Yoruba deity who was believed to possess magical powers.
The festival was rebranded as World Sango Day by the Oyo State Government, through the efforts of Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo, to signify its international widespread.
The grand finale of the festival, which usually played host to visitors from all over the country and followers from foreign countries, would hold on Saturday.
At Labamba Hotel Ltd., Oyo, the situation was pathetic as no visitors were allowed in as the facility was among the hotels sealed by the enforcement team of the state revenue board on Wednesday over the tax-related issues.
Mr. Adegoke Ogunluyi, the Managing Director, Labamba Hotel Ltd., attributed the zero patronage to the economic climate and the third variant of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ogunluyi said: “The economic climate is very poor, cost of services has gone up astronomically.
“We all know that inflation is on the rise. Obviously, it is very difficult for lots of people, especially average Nigerians to start visiting and spending in hotels for such festivals.
“Also, the third variant of COVID-19 is out again, which we understood is more deadly than the first and second waves; that alone is affecting our patronage.
“COVID-19 has been a major trauma, but most festivals always involve cohesion and people coming together, which is completely against the rules and ethics of guiding the pandemic.”
According to him, I guess that is the major hindrance that prevented people from trooping into the town for the celebration of such festival.
“I see Sango Festival as a growing festival, unlike Osun-Osogbo Festival, which has taken several years to build it.
“I believe in continually building Sango Festival, and with time, it will grow to continue to attract more visitors to the town and grow our economy,” Ogunluyi said.
Also, Chief Sunday Ogunlade, the Proprietor of Ajaba A to Z Hotel, Durban area of Oyo, said that there was no patronage of the facility at all.
“You can see for yourself now; how many people are here drinking and relaxing at the bar?
“Nobody comes here to lodge. There is no business here at all.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 had even crippled our businesses in a town like this place,” Ogunlade, also the Chairman of Hotel Operators in Oyo and its environs said.
Also commenting, a manager of another hotel in the town, who spoke on condition of anonymity, because he was not authorized to speak, said that this year Sango Festival has not in any way improved their businesses.
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According to him, since the festival started last week Thursday with series of activities lined up for the celebration, we have not recorded a single visitor or lodger in our hotel.
“This experience is too bad for our businesses.
“I don’t know whether this was because of the prevailing economic situation in the country or due to the ravaging pandemic, which is now in its third wave,” the manager lamented.
