The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking patrons of hotel services to go along with their own bath towels.

The agency believes this will be one sure way of reducing the risk of contracting the fast-spreading Covid-19 virus, which has so far killed more than a thousand people in Ghana and many more around the world.

The tourism sector has been one of the most affected as governments worldwide impose restrictions in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Ghana, cinemas, event venues, hotels and other tourism centres were shut down for extended periods as part of measures to slow the spread of the virus.

But as those restrictions are eased, industry players are pushing the boundaries to introduce sustainability programmes to ensure they withstand any such shocks in the future.

They met in Accra to share ideas at a conference dubbed Tourism, Covid and Environment. It was organized by Earth Rights Ghana, an NGO with a vision to making eco-consciousness an indispensable part of decision making among manufacturers, service providers and regulators in tourism and travel.

Director of Human Settlement Unit at the EPA, Cindy Badoe, presented a paper on developing a green Economy and Sustaining a Viable Tourism Sector and asked hotel patrons to come along with their towels if they are taking accommodation at a hotel.

“The COVID Pandemic is real and still with us. Hotel Operators must ensure strict adherence to all COVID protocols. In the dining area, it must be well ventilated, and seating must respect the one-meter distance. The garden areas can also double up as places to eat where ventilation is much better.

When it comes to using hotel towels, guests can be advised to bring their own where possible. The Hotel must take steps to wash these towels and disinfect them accordingly. I believe that the Agency and all stakeholders can work together to sustain the tourism industry even in this COVID era.”

President of Earth Rights Ghana, Enimil Ashong, believes the threat presented by Covid-19 can be overcome with the right interventions.

“This 2021 Ghana Conference on Tourism, Covid and Environment is built on hope. We believe that Tourism is sitting on a three-legged stool now, namely Environment and Covid and Hospitality. Two are under threat; the other is a threat. Quality concerned minds are needed to remove both threats.”

The Ghana Tourism Federation was represented by Kwesi Eyison, who spoke on the Ghana experience of Building Back Better.

“I take the position that the tourism industry can Build Back Better by embracing Sustainability as a catalyst for socio-economic and developmental transformation through economic, social and environmental sustainability, the three main pillars of sustainability christened triple bottom line, in a balancing act.”

Ben Anane Nsiah of the Product Development and Investment Department at the Ghana Tourism Authority spoke presented a paper titled, Ghana, the Rebound and Recovery Approach.

According to World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), 2021 annual research highlights, tourism's total global GDP contribution dropped from 10.4% in 2019 to 5.5% in 2020. In absolute terms, a figure of USD9,170 BN to USD4,671 BN. A total T&T GDP change of -49.1%.

A similar drop was witnessed in T&T jobs from 334Million in 2019 to 272Million Jobs in 2020. A change of -61.6Million representing -18.5% drop.

In Ghana, the WTTC asserts that the total contribution of T&T to Ghana’s GDP dropped from 5.9% GDP in 2019 to 2.9% in 2020. A change of -49.7% drop. In absolute terms, US$ 3.7BN to US$ 1.87BN. The total contribution of T&T to employment similarly dropped from 742.5 thousand jobs (total of 6% total employment) to 514.8 thousand jobs (4.2% of total employment). A decline of -30.7%.

Furthermore, domestic versus international tourism spend in 2019 was US$ 1,733.8 million (56%) and US$ 1,378.6 million (44%) respectively as against US$ 1,063.4 million (74%) and 372.6 million (26%) respectively in 2020.

Again leisure versus business tourists spend in 2019 was US$ 1,952.4 million (63%) and US$ 1,160.0 million (37%), respectively, as against US$ 1,141.7 million (79%) and US$ 294.4 million (21%) in 2020.

At the micro-industry level, Hotel occupancy dropped to under 18%, with an estimated 40% revenue loss of US$102 million, and for F&B (US$ 25.6million), other enterprises (US$2.08 million) and informal sector estimated at US$41 million according to GTA.