Fourteen hotels have been closed down in Kumasi and its environs due to poor service delivery, security threats, defects in physical structures like leakages, worn-out carpets, pillows and bedsheets.

According to Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) , which supervises hotels, their operations are against the laws authorising their activities, thus the order for their closure.

The affected hotels are Montana Hotel at Adum, New Paradise Hotel at Obuasi, Lake Bosomtwi Tourist Lodge, Kuntanase, Despite Guest House at Asafo, Kumasi, Midway Hotel, Mampong, Crystal Hotel at Wiamoase and Adusei Motel of Nyinahin.

The rest are Airport Hotel, New Tafo, Lizpo Hotel, Effiduase, Amanano Guest House, Hyinahin, Liberty Avenue, Agogo, Vivfred Hotel, Tafo, New Paradise Hotel, and Black Star Hotel at Obuasi.

The acting Ashanti Regional Director of GTB, Mr. Ben Anane Nsia, who disclosed this in an interview added that apart from the assigned reasons, the hotels do not comply with the minimum mandatory requirements specified under Legislative Instrument 1205, Accommodation and Catering Enterprises Regulation of 1979.

According to him, the affected hotels also lack good management, unconventional maintenance of sanitary fixtures and poor level of cleanliness.

Nsia noted that some of the hotels operate without a licence from the GTB, contrary to the laws guiding the board in their operations.

He lamented that people turn their residence into hotels with the aim of making money without taking the comfort and health of their guests into consideration.

He appealed to the Fire Service personnel, health workers and the police to ensure that the affected hotels cease operating in order to promote tourism in the country.