Hoteliers urged to collaborate to improve sector
The Omanhene of the Tepa Traditional Area, Nana Adusei Atwenewah Ampem I, has said that effective collaboration among players in the hospitality industry is key to improving the sector.
“The strength of this sector depends on unity, professionalism and effectiveness among operators, regulators and the government”, he added.
The chief said that the hospitality sector was more than a business, but a key player in the nation’s tourism industry and economic growth.
Nana Ampem I was speaking at the 13th biennial congress of the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA) in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, on the theme: “50 years of advocacy, perseverance and impacting Ghana’s tourism and hospitality industry.”
As part of the activities, the new national leadership of the association was elected to steer its affairs for the next four years.
Capacity building
The chief highlighted the need for the regulation of the sector to go hand in hand with capacity building, regular training for owners, managers and staff with the ultimate goal of improving service delivery.
He entreated the government to review the tax burden on the industry to ease operational pressures to encourage growth and investments.
Additionally, the chief called for stable supply of electricity and improvement of road networks leading to major tourists destinations in the country to attract people into the country.
While urging the delegates to select new competent and committed leaders with the desire to serve with integrity, he commended the outgoing leadership for their dedication and service to the association.
Appreciation
The President of the association, Dr Edward Ackah-Nyameke Jnr, said the industry operated in a business friendly environment.
He welcomed the recent review of taxes by the government, coupled with low inflation, saying “with the current exchange rate, we are not spending so much to import goods”.
“We believe that the business environment is becoming more friendly and we will take advantage of that to contribute our quota towards national development”, Dr Nyameke added.
Customer service
The Deputy Director, Standards and Quality Assurance at the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in the Ashanti Region, Abena Amo, urged members of the association to improve upon customer service by taking advantage of training programmes to acquire skills to serve clients better.
For his part, the Chief Executive of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, reiterated the government’s commitment to the implementation of right policies to reduce the cost of doing business in the country.
The General Manager, Lancaster Kumasi City Hotel, Basil Hamadeh, advised members to value services rendered to their guests since good service was the surest way to keep them in business.
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