Kumasi, Oct. 1, GNA- Mr. Ekow Sampson, Ashanti Regional Chief Architect and acting Manager of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), has cautioned the public against patronizing tourist facilities that had not been licensed.

"Those who patronize unlicensed tourist facilities, especially hotels and restaurants do so at their own risk, since the GTB cannot guarantee their safety", he said.

Mr. Samson was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi at the weekend, after the GTB had closed down the Ashanti Paradise and Hotels for operating without license.

This brings to eleven the number of unlicensed tourist facilities so far closed down since the GTB commenced an intensive exercise last week to rid the Kumasi Metropolis of sub-standard hotels, restaurants and other tourist facilities.

The Regional Chief Architect was not happy that most of the tourist facilities that are springing up fast in the Metropolis were operating without licenses and said this was inimical to the growth of the tourism industry.

He said some of these facilities operated under unhygienic conditions whiles others engaged in dubious deals and practices, putting the lives and safety of their clients in danger.

Mr. Sampson urged the citizenry not to hesitate to quit hotels and restaurants that do not display the GTB license at their premise, saying that, such facilities were either operating illegally or below standard. He was hopeful that the intensive exercise being embarked on by the GTB would help rid the metropolis of such facilities, which did not meet the operational standards and requirements to retain the country's image. 1 Oct. 07