The survey aims to collect critical information on Ghana’s accommodation sector in order to enhance tourism growth and inform evidence-based policies

The exercise, which is expected to start by the end of November this year and end in October next year, will cover all 261 districts of the 16 regions across the country.

Speaking at the closing of the AUS training at Winneba in the Central Region on Wednesday, the acting Deputy Government Statis­ticians, GSS, Edward Asuo Afram, mentioned that the success of the accommodation survey largely depended on data which will be provided by the hoteliers.

He emphasised that obtain­ing accurate data on the state of accommodation facilities will enable the GSS to assess its current condition and drive necessary improvements.

These enhancements, he said, will be carried out in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders in the tourism sector to ensure the industry’s growth and competitive­ness.

President, Ghana Hotel Associ­ation, Dr Edward Ackah-Nyamike, pledged the association’s commit­ment to providing the necessary data and assistance.

President for Ghana Progressive Hotel Association, Emmanuel Geadda-Asando, advised trainees involved in the survey to adopt a respectful and non-aggressive ap­proach when gathering data from hoteliers.

He stressed that cooperation was key to the survey’s success, noting that his team had thorough­ly prepared for the exercise across various regions, including North­ern and the Ashanti Region.

“We have combed the entire country from Tamale, Ashanti Re­gion, among other regions, and our people are ready for the exercise.

“We urge the surveyors to ex­ercise patience in their dealings to ensure a smooth process,” Ge­adda-Asando stated.

Director of Research, Monitor­ing and Evaluation, Ghana Tour­ism Authority, Dr Spancer Doku, stated that the data collection will help develop the sector which has gained revenues over the years.

He commended the GSS for leading the process, and collab­orating with key stakeholders to conduct tourism satellite account to improve the country’s tourism sector.

Chairman of the National Technical Advisory Committee of the TSA project, Professor Kwaku Adutwum Ayim Boakye, assured that once completed, findings will be published to form the basis for further surveys within the TSA’s framework which collectively aim to boost Ghana’s tourism compet­itiveness and economic contribu­tion.