Lagos Warns Hospitality Operators Against Price Hikes, Booking Cancellations During Detty December
The Lagos State Government has issued a strong warning to hotels, restaurants and event centres against arbitrary price hikes and arbitrary cancellation of confirmed bookings during the ongoing Detty December festivities.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the warning during an interview with TVC News on Monday, stressing that the state would no longer tolerate operators who renege on existing agreements in pursuit of higher offers.
According to the governor, such practices undermine trust and damage Lagos’ image as a premier cultural, entertainment and tourism destination.
“This is unacceptable and will not be allowed in Lagos. If a commitment has been made, especially where deposits or agreements exist, vendors must honour it. Cancelling bookings for higher bids undermines trust and hurts the image of our city,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He condemned situations where customers with long-standing reservations are turned away because venues receive more lucrative offers at the last minute.
“If someone has booked a restaurant in the past four months and you have given a commitment that there is availability, why all of a sudden they are showing up, and you are saying something has changed because someone is offering a higher payment, this is not what we will accept or take in Lagos. You are spoiling our names and the reputation of our city.
“Not only are we going to name and shame people doing this, but the government is also going to come really hard on them,” he warned.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, alongside the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), has been fully briefed and placed on alert to address complaints arising from such conduct.
He encouraged residents and visitors who have evidence of breached agreements, sudden price hikes after confirmation, or cancelled bookings to report such cases to the appropriate authorities.
He explained that complaints would be investigated initially to seek resolution, after which legal action would be taken where necessary.
The governor also acknowledged that the state government is aware of some venues already engaging in these practices, adding that discussions have been held with stakeholders to prevent further occurrences.
As Detty December continues to attract thousands of tourists and entertainment seekers to Lagos, the state government reaffirmed its commitment to consumer protection and to maintaining a fair, transparent and welcoming environment for all visitors.
