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The Ghana Tourism Authority projects a strong recovery in the tourism sector even before this year.
This is based on some initial numbers that the Authority is obtaining following the easing of restrictions and the opening of the Kotoka International Airport for international travel.
Speaking on Business Trends on Thursday, Ghana Tourism Authority Executive Director Akwasi Aygemang noted that based on some engagements with industry players and the initial figures the Authority was collecting, things could stabilize very much. soon.
The PM EXPRESS discussion focused on ‘RECOVERY OF THE TOURIST SECTOR: Reopening of the airport. The fair also brought together the Managing Director of Adansi Travel and Tours, Gideon Asare and the Executive Director of the Labadi Beach Hotel, David Eduful.
“We have consulted with some of the hotels and we have realized that the reservations made for December 2020 have not been canceled,” added the Head of the Tourism Authority, who said that things will recover strongly in the coming months .
The players and the expectation of the tourism sector after the opening of KIA for international travel
Speaking about the same program, Adanse Travel and Tours Managing Director Gideon Asare noted that the opening of the Kotoka International Airport for international travel has caused some of its customers to move quickly to make payment for previous bookings “for the first time. time since March of this year. ” year, I saw all my staff come to the office and smile for the reopening of KIA for international travel.
Mr. Asare noted that they had always been optimistic about the airport’s opening when active cases began to drop, “this really influenced our commitment to some customers to book early.”
Labadi Beach Hotel CEO David Eduaful described the opening as a psychological boost to the industry “for us we can describe this move as a step in the right direction.”
He pointed out that the most important thing is that most of the people who booked with our hotels did not cancel their trips, but with the reopening, most of these firms and businesses have reactivated their reservations.
Opening of the tourism sector
The executive director of the Ghana Tourism Authority noted that they are still engaging industry players, along with medical advisers, at the right time to open these places, who have told us they will be based on data and science. This will ensure that managers of the economy are not forced to close the economy again after opening it.
Virtual engagement with the players and sponsors of the tourism sector
Mr. Agyeman pointed out that some tourism programs have been carried out during this Covid-19 times, but virtually, while in some cases we had strict social distancing. He argued that all of this is aimed at helping to regain interest in the country and return to normal life, which will go a long way toward boosting tourism.
Status of the stimulus package and financial support for hotel sector players
Some players in the tourism industry have complained of being marginalized in the recent financial support for businesses in the country.
But speaking on PM Express, the executive director of the Ghana Tourism Authority noted that the National Board for Small-Scale Industry is working to release the second round of funds that should cover those in the tourism sector.
He also announced that the disbursement of the Tourism Development Bank should begin in the coming weeks, adding that all these funds should help the sector to recover quickly.
Boost tourism in Ghana and ease restrictions
The head of the Tourism Authority pointed out that they are currently involving the organizers of some of the main events in Ghana to see how the organization will be done, AFROCHELLE, TINA conference, AFRONATION, this is because “if you look at the data, It was clear that many people enter the country because of these events ”.
He added that “the Afrochelle program will enter this year because it is a 10-year contract, what we are trying to do is how it can be done under the COVID-19 protocols.”
Mr. Agyeman announced that they also have a National Task Force to ensure that hospitality industry players adhere to strict healthcare protocols.
Introduction of the e-Visa and the rise of international airlines departing from Accra
Mr. Agyeman also revealed that they are working to introduce the e-Visa before the end of the year.
“We have come a long way with this and very soon the ad will come out as part of a larger tourism project.”
He also revealed that there are talks with Barbados about flights to Ghana. This is due to helping with the growing interest of some Ghanaians in their activities.
They are also working with other governments and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority to increase the number of international airlines flying out of Kotoka International Airport. The Ghana Tourism Authority is also working with other industry players to help improve training in the sector.
Is Accra an expensive city?
The Deputy Executive Manager of the Labadi Beach Hotel also noted that in the country’s quest to improve tourist arrivals, one thing that needs to be addressed is the cost of doing business in the country and even taxes and levies.
But speaking about the same program, the Executive Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority noted that the government was working to address some of these by improving the infrastructure leading to tourist sites and areas.
