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The Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr. Frederick Adjei-Rudolph has disclosed that 31 tourism facilities, including hotels and restaurants, have been temporarily closed down for operating illegally.

He said the facilities were closed down during an inspection and enforcement exercises by its task force to ensure strict compliance with the GTA regulations as part of a nationwide exercise.

Mr Adjei-Rudolph, in a statement after operations, said the GTA would continue to ensure that tourism facility owners complied with best practices for the delivery of standard services to their clients.

According to him, the operations took a maximum of three days from Tuesday,  June 25, to Thursday, June 27, 2019.

Mr Adjei-Rudolph stated that three teams, made up of both the national and regional enforcement task force of GTA, assisted by officers from the Regional Police Command, were dispatched to different parts of the region to carry out the operation.

He indicated that by the close of business last Thursday, the facilities closed down included Lambert Court Hostel and Ceewus Hotel, all at Brekusu; Madiba Hostel at Koforidua; Greater Grace Guest House at Kwabeng; Reggie Boat Hotel at Osabene; Elite Hotel; Supreme Hostel and Frontline Hostel, all in Koforidua among others.

Mr Adjei-Rudolph said other facilities are Cozy View Hotel and Soul Restaurant both at Kyebi; Star Gate Hotel at Kwahu Ntesu, Graceland Luxury Guest House at Akyem Oda and Omana Hotel at Asuom respectively.

According to Mr Adjei-Rudolph, some operators such as Reggie Boat Hotel,  Koforidua; Cozy View Hotel,  Kyebi ; Soul Restaurant,  Kyebi;  Richies of Glory Guest House,  Kyekyewere;  Supreme Hostel,  Koforidua,  and Mebendesly Lodge, Begoro,  quickly visited the office of the authority in Koforidua immediately after their closure, paid the necessary fees as penalty and were going through the documentary process to regularise their operations back.

"The regional task force will help sustain the enforcement exercise throughout the year to flush out illegally operating tourism and hospitality facilities in the region. Operating a hospitality facility without a valid operational license issued by the GTA is an act of illegality, it also borders on issues of compromising on standards of facilities, security and safety of patrons", Mr Adjei-Rudolph stated.

He, however, noted that the GTA would marshal its resources to ensure that all operators work in the atmosphere, while those who constantly flout the law would be made to face the law.

Effective and efficient partnership of major tourism and hospitality relevant stakeholders, according to him was very essential for the success of the tourism industry.

Mr Adjei-Rudolph, therefore, urged all patrons of hospitality facilities to at all times look out for Ghana Tourism Authority’s valid operational license which is January, 1 to December 31, which is supposed to be boldly displayed at the reception.

He entreated all clients to desist from patronizing facilities without operational licenses.

As a service industry regulator that is aimed at protecting the image of the country in a positive way, it is important to maintain and instill sanity and order in the industry by ensuring that operators comply with the rules, standards and laws that govern it while potential operators also meet all legal requirements to be able to practice.