Hotel Overpricing Scaring Tourists from Exploring Cape Coast — MP Laments

The Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North Constituency in the Central Region, Dr. Kwamena Minta Nyarku, has raised concerns over what he describes as excessive hotel charges in Cape Coast, warning that high accommodation costs could discourage tourists from visiting and staying in the city.

According to the MP, the cost of accommodation is becoming an important consideration for visitors who may otherwise be interested in exploring Cape Coast’s historical, cultural and natural attractions.

Dr. Nyarku made the remarks at the second edition of a forum and fundraising ceremony held in connection with Cape Coast’s eight-year development plan.

He challenged the perception that Cape Coast is already a fully developed tourism hub, stressing the need for the city to expand its tourism offerings beyond the Cape Coast Castle and improve the overall experience of visitors.

He said a competitive tourism destination must provide not only attractive sites but also reasonably priced accommodation, entertainment, security, efficient transportation and other essential services.

The MP’s concerns come ahead of the Oguaa Fetu Afahye, one of Cape Coast’s major cultural festivals, which attracts thousands of visitors from Ghana and abroad.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Cape Coast, Hon. George Justice Arthur, has assured that the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly will soon engage hotel owners and managers over concerns about high hotel charges in the city.

Speaking to the media, the Mayor said the engagement would seek to address the issue, particularly as the city prepares for the Fetu Afahye celebrations.

At the same event, the Special Guest of Honour, Mr. Michael Harry Yamson, Administrator of Ghana’s District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), called on the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly to incorporate viable businesses into its eight-year development plan as a means of creating decent employment opportunities for residents.

He further stressed the importance of ensuring that projects outlined in the development plan generate revenue for the Assembly.

According to him, the Assembly must develop mechanisms to recoup funds invested in proposed projects, warning that failure to generate returns from such investments could amount to a waste of public funds.

The discussions have renewed calls for a coordinated approach to tourism development in Cape Coast, with stakeholders expected to balance the need for businesses to remain profitable with the need to keep the city affordable and attractive to tourists.

Source: Eric Annan