Business News of Saturday, 5 June 2004

Source: GNA

Three-star hotel launched in Accra

Accra June 5, GNA- Dutchotel, a three-Star Hotel worth 3.5 million Euros was on Saturday officially opened at Azure Atlantic Ocean on the Nungua Beach to boost tourism and comfort to Ghanaians.

It also gives credence to government's Golden Age of Business of attracting investors.

Dutchotel has about 80 rooms, a large restaurant and a bar and a big hall to host events.

Mr Nico Van Staalduinen, Chief Executive Officer of the hotel said the history of Dutchotel started 14 years ago when after falling in love with one of Ghana's daughters, started spending holidays in Ghana.

He said "we started searching for a nice and cosy hotel at an affordable price as a base where we could always come back. We never succeeded".

Mr Staalduinen said Ghana's friendliest population and rich culture finally convinced him, to build a hotel not only for profit but to be environmentally friendly to tourists.

Mr Arie Van Der Wiel, Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana said the tourism sector was labour intensive and could therefore provide employment to many people.

He congratulated the investors and staff of Dutchotel and said the bilateral link between Netherlands and Ghana could make a real success story.

Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City officially opened the hotel and said as his Ministry's target plans was to earn about 1.5 billion dollars annually by the year 2007, there was an urgent need for three to five star international hotels which are in short supply country-wide.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said Dutchotel would not only add beauty to Nungua but would also fill a gap in the main tourism gateway in Ghana