The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has asked operators in the hospitality industry to ensure strict compliance with the new tourism levy regulations.

Mr Ekow Sampson, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Authority said this is necessary to grow the tourism sector of the economy.

The tax, which came into effect last year, would be put into the planned Tourism Development Fund.

Addressing a stakeholders’ meeting, organized by the GTA in Kumasi for restaurant and travel and tour operators, he said this would provide the authority with funds to develop heritage and other tourist infrastructure.

Additionally, it would aid capacity building of industry players for efficient operation of their facilities.

He said this would enable the nation to fully tap its tourism potentials, particularly in the areas of job creation and infrastructural development.

Ghana was ranked 108th in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, in 2011, in the area of tourism development.

Mr. Sampson urged all to work together to make the sector more vibrant to enable it to make a significant contribution to the economy.

The global tourism market, he said, is increasingly expanding, and it is, therefore, imperative for any country wishing to be part of this market to scale up in terms of legislation, policies, infrastructure and quality of service.

Nana Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Regional Quality Assurance Officer of the GTA, advised the operators to maintain high standards of professionalism and cut out mediocrity.