Ghana’s tourism industry to receive support from World Bank; top official shares details
- Pierre Frank Laporte, the World Bank Country Director in Ghana, has dismissed reports that a package has been confirmed for the hospitality industry
- He explained that discussions are still ongoing and an agreement would be reached soon
- His comments follow reports that $14 million has been set aside to revamp the tourism sector
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The Country Director of the World Bank, Pierre Frank Laporte, has reacted to reports of a $14 million package to revamp the tourism sector.
According to him, even though there are plans to support the industry, discussions are yet to be finalized.
He added that there would be a meeting with officials at the Ministry of Finance in a week’s time to finalise discussions.
Source: UGC
READ ALSO: COVID-19: Top Kempinski official opens up about $5 million loss
Per a 3news.com report, his comments follow reports of a package set aside for the tourism industry in the wake of the spread of the coronavirus.
He indicated that though discussions are ongoing, no final figures have been arrived at.
YEN.com.gh understands that the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, earlier told Parliament that the hospitality industry has been affected by the outbreak of COVID-19.
He stated that the cancellation of flights, closure of borders, and the need to maintain social distancing, including the ban on public gatherings, are having negative impacts on the economic fortunes of the industry.
Information available shows that hotel occupancy rates are down from 70% to below 30% and staff are being sent home.
It was also reported that even before the impact of the lockdown, restaurants were already experiencing an average drop in patronage.
YEN.com.gh earlier reported that about 9,000 employees of hotels and guest houses in Ghana have laid-off workers.
According to the Ghana Progressive Hoteliers Association (GPHA), the workers were sacked due to a lack of patronage of services offered.
A number of facilities, it has been gathered, have either completely shut down or now operate at a minimal capacity.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: Kempinski Hotel lays off about 85% of workers
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Source: YEN.com.gh
