The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) says the 2024 Accommodation Unit Survey, which will collect data from over 1077 hotels, will offer the tourism sector adequate data on the contributions of the accommodation subsector.
When completed, the survey will also paint a true picture of the nature of the accommodation subsector, creating room for the government to support the sector.
The survey will also provide data-driven insights for accommodation-related investments and policy changes.
The Statistical Service says key survey indicators such as occupancy rate, room capacity and utilisation, average daily rate, revenue and expenses, and customer satisfaction are some of the areas that enumerators will critically examine while visiting the over 1077 hotels to collect data.
The social benefit of the project will be to give a better understanding of housing needs and trends while also informing urban planning and development.
In the end, the report will be published online and in bulletins while stakeholders will also be briefed about the outcome.
Professor Kwaku Adutwum Ayim Boakye chairman of the National Technical Advisory Committee for the Tourism Satellite Account Project says the project will give an understanding of the tourism sector while painting a true picture of the nature of the accommodations subsector to the government for onward action.
“This is one of four surveys that is being undertaken to understand the broader picture of tourism in Ghana. We have already done three other surveys already. We are conducting this survey because we know tourist spend between 40 to 60% of their expenditure which accommodation is inclusive. We do believe that the accommodations subsector is important for tourism to thrive and so that is why we are conducting this baseline survey to have a better understanding of the situation.”
“This is a longitudinal survey where field officers will give monthly run down after collecting data. We have chosen about 1077 hotels and hostels for this project and so enumerators will go to them and collect data related to occupancy rate, room capacity and utilisation, average daily rates, revenue and expenses and customer satisfaction. We have encouraged all the participants to take active participation in the survey,” Professor Boakye said.
President of the Ghana Hotels Association Dr. Edward Ackah- Nyamike though lauded the initiative asserted that the current data used in calculating the current contribution of the sector to the GDP is not comprehensive adding that this project will address the challenges.
“The survey will provide pertinent information about the industry. It will also aid policymakers and investors in decision-making. Although we have been giving data already as an industry because we pay electricity, and water bills among others this is a well well-coordinated exercise where in-depth information will be taken and given to policymakers. It’s not only for hotels but hostels, and furnished apartments among others.
“The point is that the industry contributes significantly to the economy of Ghana however we are aware that the data that is used to calculate the current contribution to the GDP is not exhaustive. And so there is a need to capture all these data in one composite form so that we can deal with it without errors. This will help the government make bold decisions in the sector. A lot of time we advocate for more support and this survey will answer that by providing policymakers with power data,” Dr Nyamike said.
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