By Solomon Gumah, GNA
Tamale, June 19, GNA – The Institute of Hospitality Ghana has called for stronger collaboration among key stakeholders to build a resilient, innovative and sustainable hospitality and tourism industry capable of driving national development.
The call was made during the Institute’s 13th Delegates Conference held in Tamale on the theme: “Leading Progress in Hospitality and Tourism: Innovation, Sustainability and Green Technology”.
The two-day conference, hosted by the Hospitality and Tourism Department of the Tamale Technical University, brought together hospitality practitioners, tourism operators, educators, students and development partners to deliberate on strategies for advancing Ghana’s tourism and hospitality industry.
Dr Patricia Owusu-Darko, National President, Institute of Hospitality Ghana, speaking during the conference, said the industry was undergoing rapid transformation driven by technological advancement, changing consumer expectations and sustainability concerns.
She noted that the Institute continued to promote professional excellence through annual conferences, monthly webinars, training workshops and community outreach programmes aimed at strengthening industry competencies and responsible tourism practices.
Dr Owusu-Darko highlighted initiatives such as the Youth Ambassadors Programme, Hospitality and Tourism Startup Bootcamps, scholarships and youth leadership forums designed to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship among young people.
She also announced plans to launch a Women in Hospitality and Tourism Initiative to provide leadership mentorship, business support, technical skills training and digital literacy opportunities including the use of artificial intelligence in hospitality operations.
She further disclosed plans to introduce digital hospitality laboratories, e-certification programmes and online micro-credential courses to help students and practitioners remain competitive in the global marketplace.
Dr Owusu-Darko stressed the importance of promoting sustainable and community-based tourism through partnerships with traditional authorities and local communities to preserve cultural heritage while creating economic opportunities.
Dr Joseph Mensah-Ansah, a Hospitality and Tourism Consultant, challenged educators and industry leaders to rethink hospitality and tourism training to respond effectively to emerging global trends.
He observed that technological advancements, climate change, digital transformation and evolving customer expectations were reshaping the global tourism landscape requiring new approaches to education and workforce development.
Dr Mensah-Ansah urged educational institutions to move beyond traditional teaching methods and promote critical thinking, creativity, entrepreneurship, research and problem-solving skills among students to prepare future industry leaders.
Professor Kobby Mensah, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) encouraged hospitality and tourism businesses to leverage digital platforms and online marketing tools to expand their reach and improve visibility.
He noted that changing consumer behaviour had made digital presence essential for businesses seeking to attract customers and remain competitive, adding small enterprises could benefit from the Ghana Tourism Marketplace platform.
Prof Mensah said the platform offered online visibility, digital payment solutions and delivery services, while the GTDC’s Tourism Entrepreneurship Hub provided mentorship and business support for students, startups and existing tourism enterprises.
He urged business owners to take advantage of social media engagement, user-generated content and search engine optimisation techniques to promote their brands and enhance growth at minimal cost.
GNA
Edited by Eric K Amoh /Kenneth Odeng Adade
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