The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) is poised to launch its inaugural Accommodation Unit Survey (AUS) on November 1, 2024.
This significant initiative is aimed at gathering in-depth data on commercial accommodation facilities across the country, marking a critical step towards improving the understanding of the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
The announcement was made by Dr. Ebenezer Kojo Ocran, AUS Coordinator, during a stakeholder engagement session held in Accra.
“The AUS is designed to collect data from commercial accommodation units that provide short-stay accommodation for domestic and foreign guests.
“This is the first time that a sample survey with a longitudinal design, which provides information about short-term commercial accommodation activity at national, regional, and district levels, is being conducted in the country.”
Dr. Ebenezer Kojo Ocran, AUS Coordinator
The survey is the first of its kind in Ghana, specifically designed to measure short-stay commercial accommodation activity at various administrative levels, providing insights at the national, regional, and district levels.
He further stressed that the survey’s outcomes would be pivotal for understanding the full impact of the tourism sector on Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The AUS will cover all 16 regions and 261 districts of Ghana, with the goal of providing a detailed analysis of the country’s accommodation industry.
This sector plays a critical role in the tourism industry, a major driver of economic growth and foreign exchange earnings in Ghana. The survey will target both licensed and unlicensed accommodation units, ranging from guesthouses to hotels, collecting data from over 1,000 establishments across the country.
The survey is the first of its kind in Ghana, specifically designed to measure short-stay commercial accommodation activity at various administrative levels, providing insights at the national, regional, and district levels.
Importance of Stakeholder Cooperation
Dr. Ocran underscored the importance of full cooperation from accommodation operators in the survey process. He noted that the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the data gathered would directly influence the quality of information used to guide national tourism policies and strategies.
“If operators fail to provide the needed data, it will impact the quality of information used to guide national policies.”
Dr. Ebenezer Kojo Ocran, AUS Coordinator
The success of the survey depends largely on the willingness of accommodation owners and operators to provide accurate information. Without their cooperation, it would be difficult to paint a true picture of the industry’s contribution to employment, tax revenue, and overall economic activity.
To ensure the success of the AUS, the GSS is deploying a well-structured team of 113 field workers, comprising 90 interviewers and 23 supervisors. These personnel will be tasked with collecting data from over 1,000 accommodation facilities across the country.
The survey will make use of both electronic and manual data collection methods, ensuring flexibility and comprehensiveness in capturing the required information.
In total, data will be gathered from 1,077 commercial accommodation units, covering a wide range of accommodation types. Data collection will be conducted on a daily, monthly, and annual basis to provide a detailed picture of the sector’s performance over time.
While the AUS represents a significant step forward for Ghana’s data collection efforts, there are potential challenges that could arise during its implementation. Ensuring the participation of unlicensed accommodation providers, for example, may prove difficult due to their informal status.
These establishments, which often operate outside of government oversight, may be reluctant to share financial data, especially when it comes to issues related to taxation and regulatory compliance.
However, Dr. Ocran expressed optimism about the success of the survey, noting that the engagement of key stakeholders is expected to ease concerns and promote transparency in the data collection process.
The GSS plans to work closely with industry associations and regional tourism offices to encourage broad participation and mitigate any resistance from accommodation operators.
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