Ghana Hotels Association is considering the institution of an award scheme to reward deserving members for their innovation and excellent performance in the industry. Mr Hubert Acquaye, President of the association, announced this at the 3rd National Executive Council meeting of the body in Techiman on Thursday, sponsored by PZ Cussons Ghana Limited, a private business entity.

A nine-member Executive Council of the association led by Mr Acquaye was sworn into office for a four- year term by Nana Adjei Twene, President of Ghana Tourism Federation at the function, which was on the theme: "Establishing Professional Standards in the Hotel Industry."

Mr Acquaye explained that an annual hotel awards ceremony is a perfect way to bring members together to select and reward "our peers who have excelled in various activities". He said the scheme would also facilitate excellent competition. The president said the association is in contact with the Ghana Standards Board for the development of hotel operations and standards document.

He said the document, which would become the "Bible" of the association, would contain the general principles and procedures for all activities undertaken by hotel personnel and management to ensure the smooth operations of hotels. Mr Acquaye noted that stakeholders in the hotel industry need a better understanding to deal with modern challenges.

He said the current headache afflicting the industry is energy cost and asked managers of hotels to explore alternative energy sources. Mr Acquaye said the association in collaboration with Energy Foundation would start a programme to explore the best methods that would facilitate cost efficiency and new applications to save energy, especially water and electricity.

Mr Acquaye expressed regret that unavailability of long-term and low interest funds for hotel improvement, expansion, had left most members with very heavy debt burden. Mr Charles Obeng, Brong Ahafo Regional Manager of Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), advocated high standards in hotels to meet the demands of clients. "We at Ghana Tourist Board will collaborate with you to inspect your facilities to ensure that standards, in terms of quality, safety and authenticity are met," he said.

Mr Obeng observed that it is of utmost importance for hotels to develop consistent destination management approach with a clear tourism product definition oriented towards sustainability and new market trends. Mr Philip Ntiamoah, Regional Chairman of the association said a number of hotels in the area have not registered with the body and are operating without licences.