ECOWAS Sets Standard For Hotels In The Region
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
In spite of efforts at promoting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), hotel accommodation, classification and grading in the West African region still depends on the discretion or guiding policies of the different member states.
Based on this, ECOWAS Commission has convened a meeting for ministers in charge of national tourism sectors in Togo so as to give tourism in the region a boost with the validation and adoption of the regulatory texts of the Tourist Accommodation establishment in the region,
A working document with recommendations was presented to ministers in charge of national tourism sectors in ECOWAS member states by tourism experts who spent three days drafting a well-researched legal framework that covers all aspects of hotel accommodation classification and grading
In a welcome address, on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the Commission’s Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Litse, said ECOWAS is taking key steps towards adopting relevant instruments to boosting the region’s tourism sector in line with emerging trends and appreciated the Ministers for accepting to be part of the historic event.
According to her, the tenacity and commitment of the Member states in the development of tourism industry will make ECOWAS a tourist hub, a destination with attractive and quality services which can compete with most tourist destinations around the world especially with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides diverse opportunities in development, job creation, economic growth and boost regional integration.
She expressed hope that the regulation will strengthen the use of local products and reflect cultural and traditional values thereby making the hotel industry a melting point of West African skilled craftsmanship, creativity and innovations.
The ECOWAS Commission President’s representative, urged the ministers to take ownership of the forum, consider and adopt the report of the Meeting of Experts and implement the relevant recommendations contained therein.
The Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts of Guinea-Bissau, Dr. Fernando Vaz, who chaired the meeting, hailed the immense work done in drafting the texts and criteria that would henceforth govern and restructure the classification of the tourist accommodation establishments.
He asked his fellow ministers to carefully peruse the recommendations and proceed with the adoption of the texts so that, the ECOWAS destination is at the rendezvous of first choice with hotels, aparthotels, motels, inns, ecolodges, campsites and high-quality bed and breakfasts to amaze their visitors, generate and secure qualified jobs and increase tourist flows and receipts.
Togo’s Minister of Tourism, Dr. Kossi Lamadokou, reiterated that after adopting the guidelines, implementation should be at the highest level if the tourism industry is to succeed and compete with the best.
The meeting ended with the adoption of the recommendations made by experts.
