Accra, Jan. 29, GNA - Professor Stephen Adei, former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) on Thursday noted that although the hotel industry contributed 10 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product, little attention had been paid to its development.

"State-owned hotels like the Ambassador, Atlantic and Continental have all collapsed and Ghana is now relying on private hotels which do not meet international standards," he said. Prof. Adei, who was speaking at the National Council meeting of the Ghana Hotels Association therefore lauded private hoteliers for their contribution in generating both local and foreign income to support the development of the country. "I urge you to work in unity and put your resources together, establish a co-operative bank that would enable you to have access to credit facilities to grow the industry."

Prof. Adei called for excellent management practice and training of staff to raise the face of the industry in the country and tasked government to simplify taxes on hotels. "It is time for the government to look on the SME in the hotel industry as national assets and come out with a comprehensive incentive package," he said.

Nana Kofi Adjei Twinin , National President of the Association, said it was looking at human resource development and capacity building to ensure quality and efficient service delivery. He said the industry would continue to work to meet the current service standards required by the Ghana tourist board. "Currently the Association has submitted a proposal document for strengthening and harmonizing the operations of the hotels association," Nana Twinin said.

Mr Martin Mireku, Executive Director, Ghana Tourist Board, said the promotion of tourism could not be effective without a committed and vigorous private and public partnership, adding, "there is the need for us to cooperate to achieve the excellence the industry is striving for." He said recent inspections carried out by the Board revealed poor kitchen hygiene, housekeeping and supervision, inadequate provision of mandatory furnishing and unskilled staff coupled with lack of professionalism. Mr Mireku therefore urged hoteliers to keep to standards adding that, the tourism industry was dynamic.