Hoteliers in the Ashanti Region are urgently appealing to the government for targeted support as they brace for an imminent surge of travellers expected from the newly inaugurated Nana Prempeh I International Airport.
At the Hotel Directors Forum held in Kumasi on August 8, Mr Ato Mensah, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Hotels Association, addressed the industry’s current challenges and the anticipated boost in traveller numbers.
With the airport set to begin entire operations in September, Mensah highlighted the need for government assistance to maximize the potential benefits for the hospitality sector.
“The gestation period for investments in the hotel industry is long, and currently, the industry is not profitable,” Mensah said.
“To capitalize on the anticipated increase in travellers, we need support from the Ministry of Tourism to facilitate access to low-interest loans.”
The Nana Prempeh I International Airport is expected to be a game-changer, significantly enhancing travel to Kumasi and potentially bringing in an additional 2,000 visitors.
Mensah emphasized the importance of upgrading hospitality infrastructure to accommodate the anticipated visitor surge, including tourists and airline personnel.
Mr Akwasi Agyemang, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), stressed the importance of leveraging technology and data in the hospitality sector. He urged hotel operators to conduct thorough feasibility studies and adopt data-driven strategies to improve their operations.
“Many new hotel projects are being undertaken without proper feasibility studies,” Agyemang noted. “We advise engaging with the GTA to consider these decisions carefully.”
He also highlighted the need for hoteliers to enhance their online presence and customer service. “How many operators have websites?” Agyemang asked, underscoring the role of technology in business success.
The forum, titled ‘Strategic Investment in the Hospitality Industry (In the Contemporary World),’ was a call to action, aiming to address contemporary trends and challenges in the hospitality sector that require collective solutions.
It served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and strategies, promoting growth and development in Ghana’s tourism industry.
