Hotel Overpricing Scaring Most Tourists from Exploring Cape Coast— Cape Coast North MP Laments

The Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North Constituency in the Central Region, Dr. Kwamena Minta Nyarku, has expressed concern over what he describes as excessive hotel charges in Cape Coast, warning that the development could discourage tourists from staying in the city and undermine efforts to position the metropolis as a major tourism destination as ascribed by many. 

‎According to the MP, the cost of accommodation is becoming a significant consideration for visitors who may otherwise be interested in exploring Cape Coast's historical, cultural and natural attractions

‎Speaking at the second edition of the forum and fundraising ceremony for Cape Coast's eight-year development plan, Dr. Nyarku challenged the perception that Cape Coast is fully developed as a tourism hub, arguing that the city needs to expand its tourism offerings beyond the Cape Coast Castle and improve the wider visitor experience. 

‎He said an attractive tourism destination must offer visitors not only compelling attractions but also reasonably priced accommodation, entertainment, security, efficient transportation and other essential services.

‎The MP's concerns come at a time when Cape Coast continues to rely heavily on tourism as an important contributor to the local economy. The city's historic sites, including the Cape Coast Castle, attract visitors from Ghana and abroad, while hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transport providers and small businesses depend on tourist spending.

‎However, Dr. Nyarku believes that high accommodation charges could undermine these economic opportunities if visitors begin to perceive Cape Coast as an expensive destination.

‎Hon. George Justice Arthur, Mayor for Cape Coast in an interview with Sompa TV's Eric Annan on the high pricing of hotel fees and its effect on the tourism of the city, assured to soon meet with hotel owners and mangers of Cape Coast on the subject matter which has been raised few weeks to the Oguaa Fetu Afahye, a festival celebrated by the people of Cape Coast which draws thousands of people from both home and abroad to witness the cultural richness and diversity of the city.

‎Mr. Michael Harry Yamson, Administrator for Ghana's District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, on the eight-year development plan, observed the need for the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA) to establish businesses as part of its proposed development plan to create decent jobs for unemployed citizenry of the city.

‎He stressed on the need for CCMA to levy and get back money from projects it has proposed in its eight-year development plan. Adding that should CCMA fail to get money from projects it envisage to construct in the development plan, will connote to wasting of allocated funds for such projects.

‎Sompaonline.com/Eric Annan