Coronavirus: GTA’s directive for hospitality sector would have made zero impact – Hoteliers

Greater Accra Regional Chairman for the Hoteliers Association of Ghana, Benjamin Afunya, has refuted claims that the excitement with which the Hoteliers Association of Ghana received the first statement from the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) was short lived with the release of a contradictory statement from the Ministry of Tourism.

He noted that the association was not even excited about the initial press release by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) as it would have made zero impact.

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in an initial statement said it had rolled out guidelines for hotels, restaurants and drinking spots to begin operation.

GTA in a statement, noted that following the President’s Address to the nation on Sunday May 10, it has been agreed that all hotels could operate as normal and host their guests subject to the specified elevated hygiene protocols and social distancing.

The statement added that food chains and restaurants as well as drinking bars can operate sit-down as well as pick-up and delivery services while observing appropriate social distancing hygiene protocols. Night clubs, however, still remain closed.

A new statement by the Ministry of Tourism has, however, ordered the closure drinking bars and night clubs respectively.

The statement from the Tourism Minister said Food chains and restaurants (Including Hotels) could operate takeout and delivery services only.

But speaking to Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka FM’s “AM Drive”, Greater Accra Regional Chairman for the Hoteliers Association of Ghana, Benjamin Afunya, said it wouldn’t have made any impact on the hotel industry since hoteliers do not solely rely on revenues of restaurants and bars.

He noted that the major source of revenue for hoteliers are the usage of the hotels for conferencing purposes.

“The directives that bars and restaurants can operate sit-down as well as pick-up and delivery services while observing appropriate social distancing hygiene protocols would still not have made any impact since conferencing is key in hotel business. To be honest with you, we did not jubilate because we knew very well that even if we were to go by GTA’s directive, it still wouldn’t have made an impact. Borders are closed, how many walk-ins are recorded in a day? There was no any excitement to be frank with you,” he added.