Kumneger Teketel: OZZIE Hospitality & Management Consultancy

Mr. Kumneger Teketel of OZZIE Business & Hospitality Consultancy sits with The Ethiopian Herald to discuss about hospitality investment in Africa and how Ethiopia can benefit from it.

By Homa Mulisa (The Ethiopian Herald)

Despite Ethiopia’s aspirations in tapping its rich tourism resources, the Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism has not been paid due attention unlike the leisure tourism. Yet, for Kumneger Teketel, the nation could lure multiple benefits with a closer understanding and support of the industry, describing it as a “new industry frontier”. Kumneger Teketel W/Gabriel, (MBA International Business, LLB, Finance), Managing Director and Lead Consultant of OZZIE Business & Hospitality Consultancy and International Events Company – Ethiopian Headquartered Company in Hotel & Tourism sector that exclusively hosts Hotel Show Africa Hospitality Investment Trade Show and Meetings, Incentives Travel, Conference/Congress and Exhibitions/Events in East Africa (MICE East Africa). Regarding this The Ethiopian Herald held a short discussion with him in an effort to look at the concept and possible recommendations.

The Ethiopian Herald (EH): What is the concept of MICE?

Mr. Kumneger Teketel (KT): Though the hospitality industry has taken a new dimension ahead, we are a bit lagging behind from celebration of its full advantages. African economies are already dragged to the global investment map, and also adding continental voice in global issues. This globally trending shift has added a new industry frontier to the existing leisure tourism. MICE are the new tourism concept arrived in our modern times. At this particular era, the hospitality industry has reached a new height where it can yield much more to economies. Therefore, MICE which is complementary to conventional leisure tourism is a growing industry with promising opportunities to our nation and the continent.

EH: What are you doing to introduce the industry to the nation and the region?

KT: It is three years since Ozzie Business and Hospitality Group, as an industry player, advocating a flexible turn to the utmost exploitation of MICE industry. It is with such a great pleasure that we pioneered in organizing MICE East Africa editions. MICE’s industry concept has already touched the ground.

In this 2^nd MICE East Africa 2017 & 5th Hotel Show Africa 2017 edition, 180 plus exhibitors present latest products and services in the global hospitality industry. Over 250 international hospitality brands has created exposure and global value chains, not to mention the side discussions and forums. The success in attraction of industry players sends clear signal that suggest launching such constant platform is an essential element to integrate Ethiopia to the international meeting industry.

So far in Ethiopia, this effort is not accorded with institutionalized momentum from the government. It is now there is the need to establish a National Convention and Visitor Bureau. Establishment of the bureau will definitely elevate the competitive edge in modern tourism that can fuel multidimensional economic growth. It is time to redefine tourism and Ethiopia is no exception. We Ozzie Business and Hospitality Group established under the essence “thinking out of the box” philosophy.

EH: Why do you think is it the time for the boom of this industry?

KT: We witness an era when spending capacity drive markets and the service sector, particularly the hospitality industry is contributing hugely to economies. The industry revenues will increase exponentially in years ahead, coupled with governments’ efforts in attracting international investors in global value chains.

The long existing luxury tourism has evolved. In addition to selling sight of natural and cultural heritages to tourists, MICE evolved to selling hospitality services, by capturing delegates arriving for international businesses, conferences and exhibitions. By adopting global MICE business strategies that extract available potential, industry professionals plan on how to increase staying time at pre- and post- events.

Read the complete story at The Ethiopian Herald
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