Booming Hospitality Industry Boosts Economic Growth
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, says the continued development of the hospitality industry was boosting the overall economic growth of the country.
According to her, players in the hospitality industry employ various segments of the Ghanaian economy, as well as contribute greatly to the socio-economic development of the West African country.
She added: 'More people are employed in the hospitality industry, making a significant contribution to our economy. There are huge opportunities and social benefits still to be gained by continuing to make progress.'
Mrs. Ofusu-Agyare made these known at the launch of the maiden Africa Hospitality Show (AHS) in Accra yesterday.
The African Hospitality Show 2013 is scheduled to take place from September 12 th -14 th 2013, at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC). It is being organised by Litina Travel, in collaboration with Ministry of Tourism, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana Hotels Association, and Association of Ghana Industries, among others.
She assured all and sundry that the unique event would showcase the current status of the hospitality sector in Ghana, and Africa as whole.
Mrs. Ofosu-Agyare was quick to add that the event 'will give clear indications of the way forward to the African hospitality industry; new opportunities, expansions, partnerships, trainings, collaborations.'
The Minister noted that the initiative would mark the beginning of an epoch for genuine useful networking and exchange of ideas, dialogue for confronting challenges and bottlenecks, and finally, an initiation of healthy keen competition, which would evolve the delivery of quality standards reverberating through the hospitality industry.
Mrs. Ofosu-Agyare assured the organisers of the government's preparedness to support the tourism and hospitality industry, saying, 'My ministry's doors would forever remain open to the AHS organisers and other stakeholders in the industry.'
'Do not hesitate to call on us for all the technical and policy guidance that you may require,' she advised. According to her, the ministry would continue to work with the organisers of the AHS and other players in the industry to 'ensure sustained growth, which is their common desire,' she stated.
On her part, the Chief Executive Officer of Litina Travel, Madam Ernestina Abroquah, who is also the Event Director of the Africa Hospitality Show, said that AHS 2013 was a whole market place in one place, at one time.
She explained: 'The show is a congregation of suppliers, buyers, consultants and the media, all coming together to give their businesses the versatile marketing platform to build on.'
Madam Abroquah continued: 'We will also provide you with several excellent networking opportunities with your clients and prospects, including from our neighbouring countries and the rest of the world.'
The outspoken CEO appealed to companies to take the advantage to exhibit their products at the upcoming event, explaining, 'it provides exhibitors a prime opportunity to boost their company profile, and also increase its visibility as leaders in their sectors.'