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22.04.2014 Business & Finance

New Tourist Receptive Facilities Underway

By Daily Guide
New Tourist Receptive Facilities Underway
22.04.2014 LISTEN

Ofosu-Adjare addressing the press
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Art, has disclosed that seven receptive facilities are being constructed at Salaga, Gwollu, Axim, Kpetoe, Agogo, Saltpond and Wli to enhance tourism sector.

According to her, the projects, which are part of product development, are aimed at offering opportunities for the local people and increase investment in tourism-related small and medium enterprises.

Ms Ofosu-Adjare, who made this known last week Thursday at the meet-the-press encounter in Accra, said plans were advanced to source for Turkish EXIM Bank facility for the construction of a multi-purpose theatre, shopping mall and hotel in Kumasi.

'The project is expected to create an estimated 1,500 jobs for construction workers at the construction stage. When operational it will create additional 5,000 direct and indirect jobs,' he said.

Ms Ofosu-Adjare said the Ministry had been realigned to enable the sector to execute effectively its responsibilities to  enhance socio-economic development.

She said for the first time the Ministry is providing a 'one-stop shop' at an Accra Visitor Information Centre to provide information to tourists and the public.

She said, 'We are also restructuring Ghana Tourism Authority to promote and sustain the development of domestic and international tourism.

'Hotel catering and tourism Training Centre is also under restructuring to enhance skills and competencies of the hospitality providers to improve quality service delivery.

She said the Ministry had operationalized the collection of the 1 percent tourism levy paid by patrons of tourism enterprises for the tourism development fund.

The Minister said her outfit had held a meeting with a team of investors from Shangri-La Asia Ltd who intend to invest in the country in the areas of hotel consultancy and reservation services, real estate development, golf club ownership and office management.

By Cephas Larbi
 
 
 

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