Tourists and the general public have been entreated to shun patronizing unlicensed hospitality facilities to ensure their safety and security.

Mr. Ekow Sampson, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Ghana Tourist Authority (GTA), said those who patronize them “do so at their own risk as such facilities do not meet the 2012 operational requirements of the Authority”.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi on Saturday, the Regional Manager decried the impunity with which some unlicensed facilities in the Region operated in-spite of several notifications and directives issued by the GTA.

Currently, about forty of such hospitality and tourist facilities were operating in the Region, putting the safety and security of customers in danger.

He said the unlicensed guest houses include Jordan, Simple, Badu Brago, Adwoa Boahemaa, Skad, Ejura Paradise, Lake Bosomtwe, Moreeda, Sunstar, K. Asante, Trinity, Arriva, Rockson Kofi Nsiah, Nosa, Nimo, Gold Sunny, Maria, Julian, Sam and Bea Royal Palace and Pejotal.

In addition, eight hotels namely, Zanama, Osaa, A.B. Amansan Boafo, Emmanuel, Abronoma, Naka Royal, Ingot and Garden City were also operating without license, as well as the Icon Pub., Echoes V., Royal, Grandees Pub., Brigina Catering Services and Tinadus Restaurants.

Furthermore, the Starline, Top Girls, Morich and Just Line Travel and Tours had also not been licensed.

Mr. Sampson indicated that his outfit would ensure that all facilities operating in the Region met the fire safety, environmental, security and structural strength requirements as prescribed by the Authority.

It would soon embark on an exercise to close down illegal facilities to bring sanity into the tourism industry for the benefit of the nation.