As part of preparatory measures to accommodate tourists who would visit the Brong-Ahafo Region during the country’s Independence Jubilee Anniversary celebrations, the regional branch of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) has stepped up applying stringent regulations on the requirements for operating hospitality establishments. The regional branch had in line with this given approval to 78 hotels and guesthouses out of a list of 122 inspected. The hotels and guest houses included Eusbett, Regent, Geo-Kwats hotels in Sunyani, Dyms, Agyeiwaa, Dery and Premier Palace hotels in Techiman, MicSarp hotel at Nkoranza, Mid-Way, St. Mic hotels and Toronto Guest House at Kintampo, Ginaat, Continental hotels and Nna Bosoma Guest House at Berekum. Speaking in an interview with the GNA on Thursday, the acting Regional Manager of the Board, Mr. Francis Tapena said a number of programmes aimed at providing tourists with maximum security and comfort during their stay had been instituted. The board was training 15 officers and site guards who would take tourists round the six prominent tourist sites in the region, namely Buabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, Bono Manso Slave Market, Tano Sacred Grove, Buoyem and Kintampo Falls. Mr. Tapena disclosed that vigorous inspections had been stepped up at these sites. He said adequate information on Ghana@50 and CAN 2008 had also been disseminated to hotel operators and other stakeholders in the hospitality industry to ensure that their facilities were up to the required standards. Additionally education on the accessibility of the Venture Capital Fund had been given to hoteliers to encourage them to access loans to upgrade facilities in their respective hotels. Mr. Tapena said last year the Board in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre held seminars and workshops to sensitize hotel operators on how to produce a business plan to ensure that they enjoyed quota-free duty on imported sophisticated equipment. He stated that taxi drivers, being the first point of contact by tourists and visitors would soon undergo a training session on how to handle such patrons during the celebrations. On security, the acting Regional Manager said the Board had in conjunction with the State Insurance Company held a seminar for hoteliers on the need for them to insure their hotels and properties, as well as ensuring the safety of tourists on their premises. Source GNA