Abeiku Santana has underscored the hospitality sector’s critical role in ensuring the success of the 2024 “December in GH” festivities. Speaking to Joy Prime’s KMJ monitored by MyNewsGh, he stated plainly: “The success of this December in GH rests on hospitality.”
He disclosed that the GTA has embarked on extensive stakeholder engagement with hotels, restaurants, tour operators, car rentals and hospitality associations. According to him, their reorientation was necessary because they serve as the primary touchpoints for visitors.
“When you go to a hotel and you are welcomed with a smile, government is not the one doing that. But one satisfied customer can bring ten more,” he explained. He emphasized that tourism may be public-sector–led, but “it is private-sector driven.”
Santana confirmed that GTA has partnered with the Hotel, Catering and Hospitality Institute as well as the Hotel Association of Ghana to improve service delivery this season.
He added that despite concerns about rising prices during Christmas, the situation remains stable. “Inflation has dropped to 6%, and this year we have not seen arbitrary price hikes,” he said, noting that major hospitality operators have not increased their rates ahead of the festivities.
He however acknowledged that airfares remain a challenge, though a recent breakthrough could ease costs. “For the first time in 13 years, Atlanta now has a direct flight to Accra,” he confirmed, describing it as a significant boost to diaspora travel.
