Stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism sectors are aligning their operations to capitalize on the expected increase in air travelers as the Ashanti region readies itself to become the second hub for both domestic and international air travel.
The government has already announced plans to create an airport city designed to accommodate over 3,000 visitors transiting through the region. As part of this initiative, hotels and the Ghana Tourism Authority are making significant efforts to meet international standards, while also enhancing service quality and aesthetics.
Surveyor George Arkoh Mensah, President of the Ghana Hotels Association for the Ashanti Region, stated that regional leadership is actively guiding members to comply with industry standards. “We’ve emphasized that every hotel must meet the required standards to be internationally recognized. Hotels are upgrading their facilities, improving aesthetics, and hiring qualified staff,” he said.
Abena Amo, Deputy Director of Quality Assurance and Standards at the Ghana Tourism Authority, confirmed that the authority is focused on preparing the city to welcome international visitors and boost tourism revenue. She highlighted plans for workshops aimed at improving service delivery in the local transport and hospitality sectors. “We want the private sector to join us in preparing for the influx of visitors. We are organizing training programs for taxi drivers and others in the hospitality industry,” she explained.
In addition, the leadership of the Ashanti regional branch of the Ghana Hotels Association is advocating for allocating the 1% tourism levy towards redeveloping tourist sites across the country. The association points out that some tourist sites are in poor condition, with inadequate road infrastructure, which negatively affects visitor attraction and investor confidence in the sector.
With substantial revenue generated from the levy, the association is calling for a significant portion to be dedicated to the renovation of sites, particularly those in the Ashanti region. Mr. Arkoh Mensah emphasized, “For us to attract tourists to the Ashanti region, we need well-developed tourist sites and better roads. The levy must be used to revamp these sites.”
According to data from the Tourism Development Fund Secretariat, 15.18 million cedis was generated from the levy in 2021, and over 14.9 million cedis was collected by August 2022. The target for 2023 is 19.3 million cedis.
The levy, introduced in 2012 following the passage of the Tourism Act (Act 817), was established to support sector development, including infrastructure improvements and administrative activities.
Abena Amo assured that the Ghana Tourism Authority is working closely with stakeholders to enhance both hotels and tourist sites, ensuring that they provide the best possible amenities. “We’re focusing on marketing, organizing fairs to showcase the sector to foreign markets such as the US and Nigeria. At the same time, we are collaborating with agencies to improve facilities and reconstruct roads,” she said.