Tamale: Professor Raymond Adongo, Head of the Hospitality and Eco-Tourism Department at the University for Development Studies, has emphasized the need for excellence, innovation, skills development, and sustainability to drive the growth and competitiveness of Ghana's hospitality and tourism industry. As the industry continues to evolve in response to global trends and changing customer expectations, stakeholders are urged to embrace international standards, technological advancement, and continuous capacity building to remain relevant and competitive in the global market.
According to Ghana News Agency, Professor Adongo shared these insights during an interview in Tamale at the 13th Delegates Conference of the Institute of Hospitality Ghana, which was held under the theme: 'Leading Progress in Hospitality and Tourism: Innovation, Sustainability and Green Technology'. He highlighted that the hospitality industry remains one of the few sectors capable of creating employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for graduates, noting that the skills acquired in the industry enable individuals to establish and sustain their own businesses.
Professor Adongo described hospitality as more than just service delivery, emphasizing that it is fundamentally about creating memorable experiences that encourage customer loyalty and repeat patronage. He expressed optimism about the future of the hospitality and tourism industry, noting that its success depends on stakeholders' ability to embrace excellence, innovation, sustainability, and strategic partnerships to drive long-term growth and resilience.
He further stressed the importance for industry players to adapt to emerging trends and leverage technology to enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction. Additionally, he called for stronger collaboration between academia and the industry, explaining that such partnerships are essential to bridging the gap between theory and practice.