Leisure Resort Owners Prepares To Make Brisk Business From AFCON Match Broadcasts

BY GLORIA OKEZIE-OKAFOR

Mr Oliver Chukwunonso must pray fervently against Super Eagles early ouster from the 2023 AFCON, which began on Saturday. His hotel, EUC Demodern Hotel And Suites, located in highbrow Divine Estate in Amuwo Odofin, is looking to cash in, big time, on the now prevailing match watching culture of soccer loving Nigerians.

For Chukwunonso, preparations are in top gear to host this year’s viewers during the soccerfest  in Ivory Coast.

Expectations are high as the African Cup Of Nations (AFCON 2024) begins with 52 nations contending for the prestigious trophy which is currently being defended by Senegal.

Nigeria will be playing against Equatorial Guinea in the second phase of the group A match by 2pm GMT on Sunday, January 14, 2024. They will square up with host country, too while rounding up the group encounters with Guinea Bissau. The matches will take place at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.

With this excitement in the air, those in the Hospitality business are gearing up for the event as well.

A chat with the GM of EUC Hotel and Suites in Divine Estate  Lagos, showed that activities are in full swing to cash out from the games.

While this interview held, final touches was being put to the new viewing center – the VIP lounge. This viewing center would make it the third in the same hotel, prepared to accommodate its growing patronisers, and to give viewers a variety to choose from according to tastes and preference.

The first two centers are the outside and the poolside viewing centers respectively.

“You know the game of football unites the world. The beauty of football is watching it in a crowded place, It doesn’t matter that you have your TV and subscription at home.

“The fun of being in the crowd, exchanging football history, exchanging banters, and drinks, makes it very memorable,” Chukwunonso gushed with enthusiasm.

His expectations are and should be.

Ordinarily, match viewing centers, with coming of satellite and pay TVs has been a money spinner drawing people to watch foreign leagues.

There is bigger expectations for business owners like Mr Chukwunonso ahead AFCON.

“We expect to see large turnout of people; and we have always enjoyed high patronage.

“Nigeria is in the championship. It makes it more exciting. As part of our preparation, we would also be introducing a new drink to our collection of products.

“This would be unveiled at the kickoff of the event.

“We also boast of trained staffs who are topnotch in service delivery. Not to mention that our soundproof standby generator, makes us the envy around here – you can’t miss the excitement for a second,” he added.

 Reason for setting third viewing center

“Our two previous viewing centers are always filled during matches; and haven spent eleven to twelve years in this business, it was only ideal that we reward our viewers with more choices, and one as beautiful as the VIP Lounge. Customers and guests now have varieties to choose from, and also something which meets their tastes and preferences. Any of these viewing centers allows you to meet and interact with people of like-minds.

There are competitors, too

In Abuja, the Ivorian embassy opened an AFCON Village in partnership with upscale Continental Hotels. What this says is match viewing centers are big business, these days. But our hotelier and resort owner is unfazed, He says: “Competition is normal, and it makes business thrives. Haven spent over a decade in this business, we have had good reports from all our customers and guests alike.  We have people who come from far and wide. We have facilities for different games like: volleyball, lawn tennis, and table tennis. Added to this is our standard service, and this gives us an edge over our competitors.

“Hospitality business is fierce with competition; so, how you package your products and services, is what determines patronage. And we are not disturbed because we know the services we render to our guests and customers. We are mindful of our competitors, and thist gives us strength to stay on top in the business. Competition makes you have the zeal and

‘I am under pressure to do more’

Mr. Nonso express certainty that an increase in patronage indicates customer satisfaction.  He also said they have good testament to that. ‘ Nigeria is a leading team in the AFCON competition, and that generally would pull in the crowds. As patrotic citizens we have to support our own. Super Eagles is not just the team to watch in this tournament, but their presence would mean more business for us,” he added.

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