Ghana is not an expensive tourist destination. With a currency whose exchange rate to the major convertible currencies is so very attractive, the foreign visitor can stretch a dollar very far in Ghana. Numerous quality unclassified hotels abound for the budget traveler and in Accra, there are 5, 4 and 3 star hotels. Though very good in their services, they are generally considered rather pricey.

One of the capital's leading hotels, NOVOTEL, has taken the lead in redressing the situation by coming down on its rates.

For this reason, Mr. J. O. Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City has commended the hotel for reducing its rack rates and charges.

Novotel slashed the rates and charges for its rooms following a recent meeting with Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey at which he requested the downward review of charges for facilities and service in the hospitality industry.

In a press release yesterday, the Minister referred to Novotel's reduction of room rates and charges, in some cases by much as 20%, as a positive effort worthy of emulation by others in the hotel business especially, and the hospitality industry as a whole.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey expressed the confidence that through such little efforts, a huge contribution would be made to change Ghana's current rating as a high cost tourism destination.

This, he said, would in turn serve to attract more tourists both domestic and international who would patronize the country's hotels and thus engender the targeted growth in tourism in Ghana.

The adjusted rates are as follows:

PREVIOUS / CURRENT

JAN - DEC, 2003 / JUN-DEC. 2003

SINGLE $ 180,00 / SINGLE $ 145.00

DOUBLE $ 200. 00 / DOUBLE $ 165.00

JUNIOR SUITE $ 350.00 / JUNIOR SUITE $165.00

EXCUTIVE ROOM $ 210 / EXECUTIVE ROOM $ 180, 00

LONG TERM (1 MONTH)

PREVIOUS / CURRENT

$ 90.00 PER PERSON / $ 70.00 PER PERSON

WEEKEND RATES

PREVIOUS / CURRENT

$ 90.00 PER NIGHT / $ 70. 00 PER NIGHT

CORPORATE BODIES: JUNE - DEC: DISCOUNT OF BETWEEN 31% - 44%

RATES FOR GHANAIANS:

PREVIOUS / CURRENT

$ 115.000 PER PERSON / $ 70.00 PER PERSON

*THE PERSON SHOULD POSSES A VALID PASSPORT OR AN IDENTIFICATION CARD TO ACCESS FACILITY.