11/02/12, 01:21:52 EST

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Don’t Patronise Unlicensed Tourist Facilities - GTB

modernghana.com

The Ashanti Regional Chief Architect and acting Manager of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), Mr. Ekow Sampson has cautioned the public against patronizing tourist facilities that have not been licensed.

“Those who patronize unlicensed tourist facilities, especially hotels and restaurants, do so at their own risk since the GTB cannot guarantee their safety,” he said.

Mr. Sampson was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi at the weekend, after his outfit had closed down the Ashanti Paradise Hotel for operating without license.

This brings to eleven the number of unlicensed tourist facilities closed down so far since GTB commenced an intensive exercise last week to rid the Kumasi Metropolis of sub-standard hotels, restaurants and other tourist facilities.

The Regional Chief Architect expressed unhappiness about the fact that most of the tourist facilities springing up in the metropolis were operating without licenses and said this was inimical to the growth of the tourism industry.

He said some of these facilities operated under unhygienic conditions while others engaged in dubious deals and practices, putting the lives and safety of their clients in danger.

Mr. Sampson urged the citizenry not to hesitate to quit hotels and restaurants that do not display the GTB license at their premises, adding, such facilities were either operating illegally or below standard.

He was hopeful that the intensive exercise being embarked on by the GTB would help rid the metropolis of such facilities which did not meet operational standards and requirements.

 Printable Version  | published Oct 17, 2007