Unlocking Nigeria’s Tourism Potential: Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities
Article by A. Bello.
The Biggest Jazz Night in Lagos
“The Jazz Night will be coming back but for now Velvett is too small for it. In October it will be starting again. The Jazz Night is a big attraction. We do the biggest jazz night in Lagos and it will now be in the Blowfish Hotel. During the rainy season we stop it and then it comes back,” says Imad Kanaan, Founder of Blowfish Group.
Best Steaks in Victoria Island – Lagos: Velvett
“Velvett was the new baby of the group. It offers fusion and international cuisine as well as Lebanese cuisine. The grills at Velvett are really nice, the steaks and the fish are delicious. It is a lounge so it is very relaxing environment and very trendy,” says Imad Kanaan, Founder of Blowfish Group.
Purple Restaurant at Blowfish Hotel, Victoria Island – Lagos
“Purple is something a bit different. It has seating inside and also by the pool. It has multiple cuisines; the Indian and the Thai are particularly excellent at Purple. We offer other cuisines such as continental, Lebanese and Nigerian cuisine. We have two chefs from different areas,” says Imad Kanaan, Founder of Blowfish Group.
La Veranda, an Italian Restaurant in Victoria Island – Lagos, Ideal for Business Lunches
“We have 5 restaurants with 9 different cuisines. We have La Veranda which is an Italian restaurant. It is a cosy place and a lot of the business for it comes from business lunches. It has a nice veranda that gives onto the hotel swimming pool,” says Imad Kanaan, Founder of Blowfish Group.
Top 5 Hotels in Lagos, Nigeria: Blowfish Hotel
“Our hotel is a 4 star hotel with a 5 star service. Basically what we want to create is a home away from home feeling. We have long stay customers with us. We try to be very customisable. We know our clients very well. People come back to us,” says Imad Kanaan, Founder of Blowfish Group.
Nigeria’s Blowfish Group is Expanding on Catering, Supermarkets and Restaurants
“Every month Expedia ranks the top 10 hotels that have been booked via Expedia and we are always in the top 10 and very often in the top 5 and the other hotels are all international hotels which have their brand all over and big companies will only book with them. This shows that what we are doing is hitting the right target.”
Lagos Polo Club – Interview with David Adetokunbo Layoe
“Polo and horse riding has been a passion of mine for years. I’ve been involved with the polo club for about twenty years. I have served on various committees and I am now the president of the club. The polo club itself is over a hundred years old,” says David Adetokunbo Laoye, ECAD Architects, President of Lagos Polo Club.
Maison Fahrenheit, the Leading Boutique Business Hotel in Lagos
“This is our flagship property; it is a 30 bedroom, purely boutique business and hotel. It has the Rue 80 rooftop which is incredibly busy and is creating a huge following,” says Anthony Shishler, MD of Fahrenheit Hospitality.
Fahrenheit Hospitality Group – Diversification Strategy
“For our positioning at the moment, we are looking at diversifying our portfolio into estate management, short let management, service department management, resource management as well as beach management,” says Anthony Shishler, MD of Fahrenheit Hospitality.