Tbite
July 27th, 2008, 05:13 AM
Lagos Yacht Hotel
Mixed feelings as Sunborn Yacht Hotel begins final journey to Lagos
JOY and sadness abound in equal measures, as the pride of London and Great Britain, the Sunborn Yacht Hotel, begins its journey to Lagos.
After months of negotiations between the new owners-- Lagos State Government and the management of the hotel, the ship was formally handed over to the Lagos State government on Tuesday.
For Culture and Tourism Minister, Tokunbo Kayode; Lagos State Commissioner of Tourism Tokunboh Afikuyomi, who brokered the deal; and the Managing Director, Diamond Bank, Emeka Onwuka, whose bank financed the multi-millions naira deal; it was a thing of joy that Sunborn Yacht Hotel - the world's first custom-built Yacht Hotel - in Royal Victoria Dock, near Canary Wharf, which combines contemporary class and comfort, will not only land in Lagos in a few weeks, but will boost tourism and new employment opportunities.
But for the staff of the hotel and Londoners, it was a day of sadness, as many of them will be thrown into the labour market.
As early as 10.00 am on Tuesday morning, any black face seen around Excell and Royal Dutch was perceived to be a Nigerian, who must have come to witness the formal farewell ceremony of the Yacht Hotel to Lagos.
Many of the hotel employees had started looking for jobs while a few others were planning a short holiday as they finally realised that their beloved Yacht Hotel has been exported out of their reach. It was the only one of such hotel in the whole of Great Britain.
But for Afikuyomi, the purchase of the pride of London by Lagos State government shows that Nigerians can do anything if they set their mind to do it.
Said Afikuyomi: "It was a serious challenge but at the end of the day, we achieved what many thought would be impossible. The cost is enormous. Infact, when we started the purchase, the cost of shipping it to Lagos was estimated to be around $1 million, but now with the new price of petroleum, it could cost up to $3 million."
Though owned by the Lagos State government, Afikuyomi doused any fear that the hotel being mismanaged by civil servants, as he revealed that management will be totally privatised.
He also revealed that it cost the government virtually nothing to purchase the Yacht, as the funding came from the private sector. He said the Yacht will berth somewhere between Marina and Lagos Boat Club.
Afikuyomi also revealed that logistics have been put in place to ensure adequate security and other infrastructure are provided for the Yacht and it would-be patrons.
The Yacht boast of spacious suites and executive bedrooms, with the majority enjoying balconies, elegant lounges on various decks, first class restaurant and relaxing bar, all conspiring to make a patron's stay a memorable one.
Kayode commended the Lagos State for its bold step in buying the facility, saying that it will not only boost tourism but provide employment for thousands of Nigerians.
The Yacht, which is expected in Lagos by September, will not come cheap. Presently its double bedroom cost 215 pounds, executive room 235 pounds and royal suite 500 pounds.
http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/business/article02//indexn3_html?pdate=240708&ptitle=Mixed%20feelings%20as%20Sunborn%20Yacht%20Hotel%20begins%20final%20journey%20to%20Lagos&cpdate=270708
Mixed feelings as Sunborn Yacht Hotel begins final journey to Lagos
JOY and sadness abound in equal measures, as the pride of London and Great Britain, the Sunborn Yacht Hotel, begins its journey to Lagos.
After months of negotiations between the new owners-- Lagos State Government and the management of the hotel, the ship was formally handed over to the Lagos State government on Tuesday.
For Culture and Tourism Minister, Tokunbo Kayode; Lagos State Commissioner of Tourism Tokunboh Afikuyomi, who brokered the deal; and the Managing Director, Diamond Bank, Emeka Onwuka, whose bank financed the multi-millions naira deal; it was a thing of joy that Sunborn Yacht Hotel - the world's first custom-built Yacht Hotel - in Royal Victoria Dock, near Canary Wharf, which combines contemporary class and comfort, will not only land in Lagos in a few weeks, but will boost tourism and new employment opportunities.
But for the staff of the hotel and Londoners, it was a day of sadness, as many of them will be thrown into the labour market.
As early as 10.00 am on Tuesday morning, any black face seen around Excell and Royal Dutch was perceived to be a Nigerian, who must have come to witness the formal farewell ceremony of the Yacht Hotel to Lagos.
Many of the hotel employees had started looking for jobs while a few others were planning a short holiday as they finally realised that their beloved Yacht Hotel has been exported out of their reach. It was the only one of such hotel in the whole of Great Britain.
But for Afikuyomi, the purchase of the pride of London by Lagos State government shows that Nigerians can do anything if they set their mind to do it.
Said Afikuyomi: "It was a serious challenge but at the end of the day, we achieved what many thought would be impossible. The cost is enormous. Infact, when we started the purchase, the cost of shipping it to Lagos was estimated to be around $1 million, but now with the new price of petroleum, it could cost up to $3 million."
Though owned by the Lagos State government, Afikuyomi doused any fear that the hotel being mismanaged by civil servants, as he revealed that management will be totally privatised.
He also revealed that it cost the government virtually nothing to purchase the Yacht, as the funding came from the private sector. He said the Yacht will berth somewhere between Marina and Lagos Boat Club.
Afikuyomi also revealed that logistics have been put in place to ensure adequate security and other infrastructure are provided for the Yacht and it would-be patrons.
The Yacht boast of spacious suites and executive bedrooms, with the majority enjoying balconies, elegant lounges on various decks, first class restaurant and relaxing bar, all conspiring to make a patron's stay a memorable one.
Kayode commended the Lagos State for its bold step in buying the facility, saying that it will not only boost tourism but provide employment for thousands of Nigerians.
The Yacht, which is expected in Lagos by September, will not come cheap. Presently its double bedroom cost 215 pounds, executive room 235 pounds and royal suite 500 pounds.
http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/business/article02//indexn3_html?pdate=240708&ptitle=Mixed%20feelings%20as%20Sunborn%20Yacht%20Hotel%20begins%20final%20journey%20to%20Lagos&cpdate=270708