Headlines for Holiday and Hospitality News
GHA Calls for Fairer Allocation of Tourism Development Fund on 50th Anniversary
Kempinski Hotel Accra Celebrates 10 Years of Luxury Hospitality with New Dining Experiences
Accor Exceeds Revenue Expectations for First Quarter 2025
Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra has launched its 10th anniversary celebrations, marking a decade of excellence in luxury and hospitality. To enhance its dining offerings, the hotel will introduce a new gourmet and bar experience. The celebrations will culminate in a grand gala in November, recognising the dedication of its staff and the loyalty of its guests.
A media launch last Thursday, attended by industry leaders, government officials, and media representatives, highlighted the hotel’s achievements and its contributions to Ghana’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Reflecting on the hotel’s journey, General Manager Hanno Barkhoff shared how the hotel’s vision to redefine luxury hospitality in Accra had been realised. He acknowledged challenges along the way but credited the hotel’s adaptability and innovation for its success. He reaffirmed the hotel’s commitment to exceptional service, innovation, and setting the standard for luxury hospitality in Ghana.
Albert Dwumfour, president of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), praised Kempinski for setting a high standard in the sector and its ongoing support for the media. He commended the hotel’s role in hosting key events like the GJA Awards and World Press Freedom Day celebrations, noting its significant contribution to Ghana’s tourism, culture, and creative industries.
In her keynote address, the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dzifa Abla Gomashie, praised Kempinski for elevating Ghana’s reputation as a premier hospitality destination.
She noted the hotel’s significant role in the country’s economic and cultural development, citing the 1.14 million international tourist arrivals in 2023.
The minister encouraged Kempinski to expand its impact by considering the construction of a modern, multi-purpose hospitality training school in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.
She also commended the hotel for its support of people on the autism spectrum, emphasising the importance of inclusive corporate social responsibility efforts.
The Ghana Hotels Association (GHA) has renewed calls for a fairer allocation of the Tourism Development Fund as it marks its 50th anniversary. At a press briefing on April 15, 2025, GHA President Dr. Edward Ackah Nyamike Jr. described the current arrangement under the Tourism Act, 2011 (Act 817) as unfair, noting that hotels, despite collecting the levy, receive no direct support from the Fund. He appealed to the Ministry of Tourism to make the system more inclusive.
The Fund, managed by the Ghana Tourism Authority, is financed through a one per cent levy on tourism services. Dr. Ackah Nyamike also criticized the bureaucratic hurdles in accessing the Fund and called for a review to make it more accessible and transparent.
Accor, Europe’s largest hotel group by portfolio, surpassed first-quarter revenue expectations, reporting €1.35 billion ($1.53 billion) for the period ending March 31, 2025.
This represents an increase from €1.24 billion in the same quarter the previous year and exceeded analysts’ forecasts of €1.31 billion.
The company attributes this growth to sustained global demand and geographical diversification, with the luxury segment leading growth with a 17.9% year-on-year increase
Source : Joycelyn Marigold – Property Express Magazine
