Business News of Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Source: starrfmonline.com

Terror threats affecting our business – Hoteliers

Launch of the Mahogany Gardens at the Royal Richester Hotel Launch of the Mahogany Gardens at the Royal Richester Hotel

Ghana being placed on terror watch has taken a heavy toll on the hospitality industry, players in the sector have revealed.

Some hotels in the capital, Accra, especially the Royal Richester Hotel have been complaining of a sharp drop in patronage ever since extremist activities became rampant in the West African sub-region.

The director of the Royal Richester Hotel, Nana Tuffour Antwi, said the hotel is among the tourism and hospitality firms witnessing a significant drop in the number of expatriates patronizing its services due to the threat.

“We have adequate security measures in place but it seems that is still deterring some of the expatriates,” Antwi told Starr Business on the sidelines of the seventh anniversary celebration of the hotel and the launch of the Mahogany Gardens at the hotel over the weekend.

The Mahogany Garden, according to Antwi, is to help give its numerous clients the opportunity to organise their social activities and for other corporate hangouts.

He further called on the government to reduce the recent hike in water and utility tariffs, which he said has also doubled the amount they now spend on utilities.