Bolgatanga (U/E), Feb 13, GNA- The Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) is to embark on a Customer Care Service Training Programmes for operators in the hospitality industry throughout the country.

This would enable the hospitality industry to be prepared for the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Nation as well as the hosting of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2008 and the Africa Union Summit in Ghana. The Executive Director of GTB, Mr. Martin Mireku, announced this on Monday at a forum held in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. The forum attracted about 50 participants drawn from the hospitality industry in the Region.

Mr. Mireku explained that the training programme would help enhance, sharpen and equip operators on how to render better and satisfactory services to customers.

He said operators stand the chance of gaining a lot of experience when they take the training seriously, since it would help them render satisfactory services to the customers and win their confidence to patronize their services more frequently.

"Customers would not patronize your services if you are not able to satisfy them and win their confidence. It is through the training that you can acquire the techniques", the Director stated.

He cautioned that without the training, the GTB would cease awarding operational licenses to any operator in the industry and appealed to the management of such businesses to ensure that they register all their staff for the exercise to avoid any embarrassment.

Mr. Mireku said the GTB was doing everything possible to ensure the promotion of the hospitality industry and announced that a legislative instrument had been passed exempting licensed companies in the hospitality industry from paying VAT and import duties. He charged tourism operators in the region to get themselves well organized, saying it was only when they came together that they could fight for their rights.

Participants at the forum appealed to the Government to consider involving the hospitality sector in the National Youth Employment Programme.

The participants appealed to the GTB to set up a hospitality training school in the region to equip interested people with the expertise required in the industry.

Participants expressed worry about the lack of car rental services in the region and said most tourists who visit the region would need cars to visit tourist sites.

The Executive Director assured them that he would liase with car rental companies based in Accra to provide such facilities in the region.