About 250 tourism trade operators in the Western Region have undergone a day of training at the Akroma Plaza in Takoradi. The training forms part of an effort by the government to shore up the losses in the tourism industry at the advent of COVID -19.
The Coordinator of Ghana Cares of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr Agyenim Boateng remarked that ‘it is an initiative under the President’s by name Ghana Cares Obaatanpa Programme targeted to alleviate the effect of Covid -19 in the tourism industry.’
He added that the training is part of funding by the government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance where an amount of One Hundred Billion Ghana cedis has been allotted to cater for losses in the seven Ministry of Trade, Agriculture, Trade amongst others.
According to him, the training is expected to take place across the sixteen regions but the first part will end in Kumasi
He recounted how the industry recorded a low turnout of tourists in the country, stating that the industry used to record 1.3 million tourists but it was reduced to Three Hundred Thirty-Five Thousand.
“For example, in 2019, the tourist arrivals in Ghana were 1.35 million but due to Covid19, it was reduced to 335 Thousand people arriving in the country. The tourism industry was hard-hit because when people don’t travel, hotels, car rentals, catering services won’t be patronized.
Mr Agyenim Boateng reckoned that the consequences the pandemic brought on the tourism industry require the intervention of the government to bring the industry back to its feet before the pandemic.
The training was targeted at sector players in Accommodation, catering, car rental as well as tour guiding.
Amongst the topics treated are Digital Marketing, Customer Relations and Tourism Product Knowledge.
He noted that the training is to equip hoteliers with the requisite knowledge in digital marketing, relating well with customers’ to rake in more revenue in the sector.
“The world is going global, everybody is doing their business online so it is very necessary to take our people in the tourism sector know the required skills to use in marketing their products online”, he said.
He also mentioned that through the Mobile App of the Ghana Tourism Authority, all hotels have been captured for easier access and information on various hotels in Ghana.
In the 26th televised address on Sunday, March 27, it was announced by President Nana Addo that “Outdoor functions at sporting events, entertainment spots, political rallies and funerals may resume at full capacity, again, as long as all persons at these events are fully vaccinated.”
In an interview with Spice 91.9FM, some participants mentioned how useful the training has been for them.
Abban, a representative from Maaha Beach Resort in Nzema mentioned that the programme has been insightful because the knowledge acquired on digital marketing will be put to good use to benefit his outfit.
“It is a good initiative taken by the GTA. This is the sort of training we need to sharpen our skills to make us have a meaningful impact on our clients. We stand to benefit a lot if such programs are organised for us.” He stated.
Another participant, Micheal Asiedu, CEO of Ruberth Travel and Tours in Takoradi said, through the training session his perception of customer training has been uttered.
“I have gained more insight into customer relations. I now know how to deal with a troublesome customer,” he mentioned.
