Property Express Holiday & Hospitality News 22 08 25

World Institute of Travel & Tourism (WITT) and the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) introduces Core Wellness Standards for hotels worldwide

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has shut down several unlicensed hospitality facilities in Kasoa for breaching regulatory standards and operating without the required licences.The affected establishments, located in Central Kasoa and Ofaakor in the Awutu Senya East Municipality, as well as Kakraba and Nyanyano in the Gomoa East District, were found to be in violation of the Registration and Licensing of Food, Beverage, and Entertainment Enterprises Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2238).

According to the GTA, some of the facilities also failed to meet basic operational standards, raising concerns over safety and service delivery.Deputy Director of the GTA’s Accra West Regional Directorate, Shine Dela Gwornu, said the move formed part of a nationwide clampdown on illegally operating hospitality businesses.

“This guest house operates without the required licence and is not registered with the Authority, yet it has been in operation all this time. As part of the national agenda to clamp down on illegally operating hospitality facilities, we are here to close them down. By the laws of Ghana, before you operate a restaurant, travel and tour company, guest house or hostel, you must have a GTA licence,” he told Citi News on Monday, August 18, 2025.

The GTA further stressed that the affected facilities would only be allowed to reopen after regularising their operations and meeting the necessary standards. It also cautioned that any operator who reopens without clearance would be committing a criminal offence punishable under Ghanaian law.

Jamestown was filled with excitement over the weekend as thousands attended the MoMo Fest Artiste Night, a major highlight of the Homowo Festival. The open-air concert showcased performances from Fameye, Mr Drew, OlivetheBoy, King Jerry, DJ Juicy, and DJ Lord OTB, who kept the crowd energized with vibrant music. 
The event blended modern entertainment with Ga cultural traditions, while headline sponsor MTN Ghana enhanced the celebration by providing Mobile Money services, SIM replacements, and customer support on-site.

The 2025 Ghana Music Festival has been rescheduled from August 22–24 to October 24–26 at Georgia Tech, organisers Berks Concepts and Quantum Communications have announced. 
The shift is to allow more preparation time for improved production, international collaborations, and a richer experience. 

Creative Lead Ahmed Alhassan Sali said the aim is to showcase Ghanaian music and culture on a larger global stage. 
Tickets already purchased remain valid, with new packages and attractions to be unveiled soon. The festival remains a premier platform promoting Ghanaian and African music, arts, and culture.

The World Institute of Travel & Tourism (WITT) and the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) have introduced Core Wellness Standards for hotels worldwide, aiming to transform guest experiences in major U.S. and European wellness tourism destinations. 

These guidelines ensure that wellness offerings across hotels—from treatments to amenities—are authentic, high-quality, and uniformly regulated. 
The move marks a significant leap toward elevating wellness tourism standards across the global hospitality industry.