Tourism in Ghana has become a major socio-economic activity and one of the most important and fastest growing sectors of the Ghanaian economy. It is the fourth largest foreign exchange earner in the national economy, providing direct and indirect jobs.
This is why Mr. Hudson Kojo Ablordepey, Managing Director of Volta View Hotel, has called on government to abolish outdated laws, which are hampering the development and growth of the hotel industry in Ghana.
The call was made at the 3rd Ghana Hotel Association awards for 2017 held at the Labadi Beach Hotel a week ago to celebrate and award players in the hospitality business.
Mr. Ablordepey said: “…outstayed laws relating to the hotel industry are irrelevant since they draw back the development and growth of the hospitality industry and its players.”
This does not encourage and bring onboard investors in the hospitality industry. Instead, these outmoded laws drive investors away, causing the country to lose revenue.
“Some laws need to be revised…while others must be totally scrapped, especially the Spirit Ordinance Amendent Act 1928, which was abolished in the UK in 1968, in order to satisfy Americans, European tourism market, but this law is still in operation in Ghana. Likewise, the Environmental Protection Agency law must be looked at.
Mr. Ablordepey also encouraged district assemblies to adopt innovative ways of taxing and levying hotels in order not to create undue and unfair ways of generating revenue for their assemblies.
On the other hand, Mr. Ablordepey advised hoteliers to pay their taxes. “It would be unrealistic to say that we don’t want to be taxed. No! If we did not want to pay tax, there would be no money, to improve airport, roads, tourism sites, and putting basic infrastructure in place for tourism. But it is important that tourism is not unduly or unfairly taxed and levied.”
There were several prizes given away on the night. A full list of the awards is below:
2 & 3 Star Category
Front of House Team of the year – Raybow Hotel (Western Region)
Housekeeping Team of the year – Coconut Grove Hotel (Gt. Accra)
Food and Beverage Team of the year – The Africa Regent Hotel (Gt. Accra)
Conference and Banqueting Team of the year – Coconut Grove Hotel (Gt. Accra)
Green Hotel of the Year – Akroma Plaza (Western Region)
Most secured Hotel of the Year – Anita Hotel (Ashanti Region)
4 & 5 Star Category
Front of House Team of the Year: Tang Palace Hotel (Gt. Accra)
Housekeeping Team of the Year: Golden Tulip Hotel (Gt. Accra)
Food and Beverage Team of the Year: Labadi Beach Hotel (Gt. Accra)
Conference and Banqueting Team of the Year: Swiss Spirit Alisa Hotel (Gt. Accra)
Green Hotel of the Year: Accra City Hotel (Gt. Accra)
Most Secured Hotel of the Year: Movenpick Hotel (Gt. Accra)
Other awards
Most Authentic Hotel of the Year: Royal Senchi Hotel (Eastern Region)
Budget Hotel of the Year: Aborigine Beach Resort (Volta Region)
One Star Hotel of the Year: Nim Avenue Hotel (Northern Region)
Two Star Hotel of the Year: Sunlodge Hotel (Gt. Accra)
Three Star Hotel of the Year: Royal Basin Resort (Ashanti Region)
Four Star Hotel of the Year: Atlantic Hotel (Western Region)
Five star Hotel of the Year: Kempinski Hotel (Gt. Accra)
Special awards
Outstanding Contribution – Mr. Bob Coffie Dasu (Freedom Hotel, Volta Region)
Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Papa Kwesi Ndoum
Hotelier of the Year – Mr. Sajid Ali Khan
By: Sheila WILLIAMS
