The Proprietor of Rendezvous Motel in Nongowa, Kenema, Mr Constant Thomas has said in an interview with Awoko that the hospitality industry will support and boost the tourism sector to expand, during this post-ebola period with Government increasing its support to the sector. “We don’t just provide comfortable lodging, we also provide employment, which is key to building the economy”, he said.
In a soft spoken manner, Mr Thomas said very little is done to let the world know that there are breath taking and fascinating sites, not only down Freetown but up country as well where tourists both local and international can explore paradise on earth.
Questioned why he decided to establish a motel in Kenema and not anywhere else, young Mr Thomas smiled and started to explain his story.
He is a clearing and forwarding agent with over twenty years of experience and was making enough for himself and his family, but he decided to call it quits as a result of the scarce accommodation in Kenema.
“Each time I visit Kenema I find it difficult to get an accommodation with all facilities to go with, most of the accommodation are guest houses with no recreation, and services offered are not of high standards”.
It was against this background that Constant Thomas teamed up with another brother who resides out of Sierra Leone to establish a standard motel with all facilities inclusive.
This was when the problems started for the Proprietors of Rendezvous motel, due to the high rate of duty charged at customs for used fittings and accessories brought in by Mr Thomas to make life more comfortable for guests at the motel.
He disclosed that he was given a hard time down at the quay to clear his container, even though he recalled that sometime ago, Government made a statement to bring in building materials and used items at reduced waiver rate, in order to encourage more investors and proprietors in the hospitality industry, which is key to tourism.
“If big foreign companies are given huge duty waivers why can’t, Government support its own to contribute to economic growth” he asked.
Mr Thomas revealed that after a long tussle he was able to accomplish his mission to complete both the interior and exterior décor of the Rendezvous motel, which has 15 spacious rooms, a lounge bar, restaurant, games room, and an African culture corner.
As a result other Guest houses in Nongoma, Kenema are on rehabilitation and guest service improvement.
He called on the National Tourist Board to engage the Tourism Ministry to lend a helping hand to proprietors in the hospitality industry to improve on their businesses with duty waivers, to attract both local and international
By Ade Campbell
Thursday July 07, 2016
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