‎EKITI KETE 2026: Southwest Hoteliers Set to Unveil State’s Tourism Treasures to Global Audience. ‎

The Hoteliers Association of Nigeria, Southwest Zone, has officially flagged off preparations for its much-anticipated Biennial Conference, tagged EKITI KETE 2026, scheduled to hold from April 19th to 22nd at Midas Hotel and Arena in Ado Ekiti.

‎Addressing a packed press conference in the state capital,Ado Ekiti on Wednesday,the hosting state-Ekiti led by the association’s state President and LOC Chairman Hon.Akin Abimbola revealed that the conference will serve as a strategic platform to project Ekiti State’s vast tourism potential to local and international investors. With over 2,000 participants expected from across the six Southwest states, the theme “Gathering—Regulatory Framework and Policy: Creating a Conducive Environment for Hospitality Growth”—emphasises a collective resolve to reposition the region’s hospitality sector for global competitiveness.
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‎Commending Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his administration’s proactive engagement with the private sector, the association particularly applauded the harmonization of taxes which has significantly eased the operational burdens on hoteliers. Industry leaders noted that unlike the era of multiple taxation and illegal levies by unauthorised contractors, Ekiti now operates a streamlined, transparent tax regime that has allowed businesses to thrive.
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‎He praised the state’s internal revenue service for engaging the association in meaningful dialogue, breaking down new tax reforms, and silencing obnoxious consumption taxes that had long stifled growth.This partnership, they affirmed, is a model worthy of emulation across the Southwest.
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‎He noted further that beyond tax relief, the conference will feature expert-led sessions on the new national tax reform, equipping members with the knowledge to navigate emerging fiscal policies without fear or uncertainty.
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‎The association emphasised its apolitical but factual stance, noting that while individual members retain their political choices, the collective experience under the current administration speaks for itself. From a staggering 22 different tax heads in the past to a harmonised, business-friendly structure today, hoteliers say the difference is not just felt—it is celebrated. The governor’s multiple awards in tourism development, they stressed, are testament to leadership that listens and delivers.
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‎Security remains as a top priority as the state prepares to host thousands of visitors, Abimbola reiterated.He disclosed ongoing collaboration with all security agencies, including the DSS, police, SID, and civil defence, to ensure foolproof arrangements. Hoteliers are being mobilised to enforce strict guest profiling, vehicle documentation, and intelligence sharing with operatives.With the election season approaching, members were urged to remain vigilant against criminal elements, including a reported syndicate of motorcycle-snatchers operating in cash transactions. The association reassured the public that Ekiti hotels will not serve as hideouts for miscreants, reaffirming the industry’s role as a partner in maintaining the state’s hard-earned peace.

‎A major highlight of EKITI KETE 2026 according to the National Secretary of Nigeria hotels who also doubles as the secretary MOC SouthWest Congress Dr. Oladapo Olaleye will be the induction of seven outstanding hoteliers into the association’s Hall of Fame during a glamorous gala night. The event will also honour Governor Oyebanji for his transformative impact on tourism and hospitality, with industry leaders describing him as “the first among equals” in tourism-friendly governance.

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‎During the questions and answers session Hon.Akin Abimbola explained that delegates will also embark on guided tours of Ekiti’s rich tourist attractions—cultural, heritage, religious, and natural sites that dot nearly every community.
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‎He maintained that the association believes this exposure will change prevailing narratives and position Ekiti as a premier investment destination in Nigeria’s hospitality landscape.
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‎Calling on hotel owners, chief executives, managers, and investors across Nigeria to prioritise EKITI KETE 2026, the association promised an unforgettable experience of networking, learning, and cultural celebration.
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‎As the fifth edition of the Southwest Biennial Conference commences ,organisers are determined to surpass previous hosts, describing Ekiti as not just a venue but a testament to what visionary governance and private sector resilience can achieve together.
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‎The Association’s leadership thereafter extended an open invitation to all stakeholders to come, engage, collaborate, and shape the future of hospitality in the Southwest and beyond.
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‎The press conference had in attendance Managers, Directors and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of hotels spread across the state and representatives of various security arms in the state.