South African Airways (SAA) is celebrating 20 years of flying to Accra, Ghana, which is a key route in a country that is strategic for South Africa. In a statement on Tuesday, the national carrier said the 20-year milestone of flying to Ghana is important, as Ghana is South Africa's second-largest trading partner in the West African region.
"It presents a key growth market for South African goods and services, as well as an investment destination for South African companies," said SAA.
SAA first landed a B767-200 aircraft at the Kotoka International Airport in April 1996. The route has grown from three frequencies to eight frequencies per week.
"High service standards and attention to customer service delivery have resulted in growing frequent flyers and high load factors. Our customers enjoy Africa's warmest hospitality on board and the reliability of our flight schedules," said Gloria Mensah, SAA country manager in Ghana.
In October 2013, more South African companies showed an interest in Ghana. This, in turn, stimulated further growth, which directly resulted in the introduction of a daily flight service.
As a further investment in the route, SAA introduced flights between Accra and Washington DC in the United States in August 2015. The airline was granted traffic rights, making it the first African carrier to offer a direct service between Accra and Washington.
"The Accra to Washington DC route is tremendously popular and has shown steady growth. It received favourable customer ratings for excellent onboard service and on-time departures. We thank our loyal customers for their patronage and our dedicated team at the South African Airways Ghana office," Mensah said.
South Africa and Ghana established diplomatic relations in 1994. To date, the two countries have signed 19 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding.
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Showing posts with label Kotoka International Airport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kotoka International Airport. Show all posts
Tuesday, 2 August 2016
GHANA: Ghana Introduces Visa On Arrival, Uganda No Visa On Arrival
For all African Union Nationals whose countries do not have a visa-free agreement with Ghana, the country has started a visa-on-arrival scheme at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
All AU nationals affected by the policy who arrive in the country must have a passport, valid for at least three months from the date of entry; they must have a return ticket or evidence of onward travel; they must show evidence of sufficient funds and proof of accommodation before they are granted visas according to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
This is great news for many travellers. However, what does it mean for the tourism and hospitality industries? Jumia Travel looks at the advantages and disadvantages of this development to these industries:
For many travellers from African Union countries who plan on coming to Ghana either for business or for a vacation, this is welcoming news. What this basically means is that there is no need for running around embassies hustling for a visa before entering Ghana. All you have to do is be on that plane and you can acquire the visa once you arrive at the airport in Ghana. This eliminates the headache most travellers get from the processes and the bureaucracy involved. Coming to Ghana has never been easier than this.
Secondly, the visa on arrival saves time and money. For many travellers, it was very time consuming filling out various forms and assembling many supporting documents to process a visa. The stress involved even discourages travelers and they tend to end the process as fast as they begin it. The monies involved in acquiring these visas are also exorbitant. From transportation costs to visa fees and agent fees, some travellers end up spending so much money to secure a simple visa to Ghana can be discouraging.
The new system means that more people will be willing to visit Ghana as it has become very convenient, cheaper and less time consuming. For the hospitality industry, the more people who arrive in Ghana, the more need for accommodation (hotels) and the more use of restaurants which means more business for stakeholders in the industry. For the Tourism sector, as more people are able to travel freely to Ghana, sales at tourist sites will be boosted and referrals from tourists to other travellers will also increase. There will be increased pressure on stakeholders to improve infrastructure and services in order to accommodate the large numbers of tourists trickling into the country.
On the other hand, many hotels are already selling their rooms at high rates due to certain socioeconomic factors. If the number of foreign entry increases a bit more, then rates will be out of range because of the need to compete and provide adequate and efficient services to these travellers. This will have an adverse effect on the hospitality sector and a rippling effect on tourism. If travellers have to pay huge fees to get comfortable accommodation, they will hardly have any money left to tour and visit historic destinations and attractions that will fetch good revenue for the nation.
Significantly, the issuance of visas on arrival is a very limiting service. Although highly beneficial, it is limited to only air travellers and doesn’t make room currently for travellers who enter Ghana by road and sea. This means that many African travellers who cannot afford to travel by air would not benefit and this will stop them from planning trips to many beautiful destinations in Ghana. What this also means is that there will be long queues at the airport as every African traveller will be in line for a visa on arrival at the airport. This may be frustrating especially for the old, children or disabled.
Finally, making it easy for African travellers to get visas on arrival in Ghana means that a few people might enter the country and not return to their various home countries. This will have grave effects on the demographics of certain areas of the country, putting excess pressure on the already scarce resources.
The new visa on arrival policy for AU countries is a good initiative and all stakeholders must ensure that it operates smoothly and with little disadvantages so as to grow the hospitality and tourism industries and cause a positive effect on foreign exchange and Ghana’s GDP.
All AU nationals affected by the policy who arrive in the country must have a passport, valid for at least three months from the date of entry; they must have a return ticket or evidence of onward travel; they must show evidence of sufficient funds and proof of accommodation before they are granted visas according to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
This is great news for many travellers. However, what does it mean for the tourism and hospitality industries? Jumia Travel looks at the advantages and disadvantages of this development to these industries:
For many travellers from African Union countries who plan on coming to Ghana either for business or for a vacation, this is welcoming news. What this basically means is that there is no need for running around embassies hustling for a visa before entering Ghana. All you have to do is be on that plane and you can acquire the visa once you arrive at the airport in Ghana. This eliminates the headache most travellers get from the processes and the bureaucracy involved. Coming to Ghana has never been easier than this.
Secondly, the visa on arrival saves time and money. For many travellers, it was very time consuming filling out various forms and assembling many supporting documents to process a visa. The stress involved even discourages travelers and they tend to end the process as fast as they begin it. The monies involved in acquiring these visas are also exorbitant. From transportation costs to visa fees and agent fees, some travellers end up spending so much money to secure a simple visa to Ghana can be discouraging.
The new system means that more people will be willing to visit Ghana as it has become very convenient, cheaper and less time consuming. For the hospitality industry, the more people who arrive in Ghana, the more need for accommodation (hotels) and the more use of restaurants which means more business for stakeholders in the industry. For the Tourism sector, as more people are able to travel freely to Ghana, sales at tourist sites will be boosted and referrals from tourists to other travellers will also increase. There will be increased pressure on stakeholders to improve infrastructure and services in order to accommodate the large numbers of tourists trickling into the country.
On the other hand, many hotels are already selling their rooms at high rates due to certain socioeconomic factors. If the number of foreign entry increases a bit more, then rates will be out of range because of the need to compete and provide adequate and efficient services to these travellers. This will have an adverse effect on the hospitality sector and a rippling effect on tourism. If travellers have to pay huge fees to get comfortable accommodation, they will hardly have any money left to tour and visit historic destinations and attractions that will fetch good revenue for the nation.
Significantly, the issuance of visas on arrival is a very limiting service. Although highly beneficial, it is limited to only air travellers and doesn’t make room currently for travellers who enter Ghana by road and sea. This means that many African travellers who cannot afford to travel by air would not benefit and this will stop them from planning trips to many beautiful destinations in Ghana. What this also means is that there will be long queues at the airport as every African traveller will be in line for a visa on arrival at the airport. This may be frustrating especially for the old, children or disabled.
Finally, making it easy for African travellers to get visas on arrival in Ghana means that a few people might enter the country and not return to their various home countries. This will have grave effects on the demographics of certain areas of the country, putting excess pressure on the already scarce resources.
The new visa on arrival policy for AU countries is a good initiative and all stakeholders must ensure that it operates smoothly and with little disadvantages so as to grow the hospitality and tourism industries and cause a positive effect on foreign exchange and Ghana’s GDP.
Saturday, 18 June 2016
GHANA: Sights, Culture And Incredible History
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Museum
Echoes of history, both glorious and horrific, live on in Ghana. Inland, in the city of Kumasi, the descendants of the great Kingdom of Ashanti preserve their spectacular traditions with pomp and ceremony. On the coast, formidable whitewashed forts testify to a darker aspect of the country’s past, for it was here millions of slaves were crammed into ships; their descendants are now scattered throughout the Americas and beyond.
Many come back to trace their origins. At Elmina Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482, I mixed with a group of African Americans. Ostensibly they were tourists, though the impact of a tour within these chilling walls is more akin to pilgrimage.
We followed an articulate local guide down into the cool, humid dungeon where slave traders once branded and shackled hundreds of slaves. And then we followed the well-trodden route out into the blinding sunlight of the courtyard and across it, and through a rusty metal gate to the “door of no return.”
Atlantic breakers crashed on the rocks at the foot of the impregnable walls. We gazed out to the sharp line of the horizon and imagined the magnitude of the journey imposed on the people who shuffled from this door to the waiting ships, a voyage many did not survive.
Cape Coast, a short drive from Elmina, harbors the most imposing edifice of all. Built by the Swedes and then seized by the British in 1665, it exported around 70,000 slaves to the New World every year.
Collectively, Ghana’s slave forts received UNESCO World Heritage status. Strung along the coast — some in ruins, others restored; some in active use (Christiansborg Castle in Accra, for instance, is Ghana’s official seat of government), others preserved as museums — they testify to an appalling chapter of human history.
For more than 300 years, Ghana was known to foreign powers as the Slave Coast. After the abolition of slavery in the early 19th century, exploitation switched to a lustrous precious metal, and the country became the Gold Coast until independence.
Gold is just one of the natural riches of the hinterland. During British rule, cocoa and rubber trees imported from the Americas flourished here. Ghana continues to produce 20 percent of the world’s cocoa; when you eat chocolate, there’s a good chance the cocoa came from here.
The indigenous rainforests were exploited for hardwood, and huge tracts were felled. A few fragments remain and provide a major tourist attraction in their own right. Kakum National Park, three hours west of Accra, offers the perfect place to experience the West African rainforest in its dense, verdant magnificence.
Although Kakum teems with animal life, the vegetation restricts viewing, and you’re unlikely to see the resident elephants, forest buffalo, leopards and antelope as you follow the walking trails through dappled shadow. The park’s highlight is a network of suspended walkways in the forest canopy, 160 feet above the ground. Here you can gain an eye-level view of troops of colobus and Diana monkeys and a dazzling array of tropical birdlife.
You’ll find African big game much easier to spot at Mole (pronounced Mo-lay) National Park in the north of the country. Getting there involves a six-hour drive from Kumasi, and accommodation, at Mole Motel on the park boundary, is rudimentary. However, the motel overlooks a busy waterhole, and wild elephants (and other animals) often roam through the grounds. (Be sure to keep the door to your room closed at all times — the resident baboons are opportunistic thieves.)
The country’s historic and natural attractions provide a mere sideshow to the main event: the immersive, vibrant dynamism of modern, urban Ghana. There is nothing understated about Ghanaian cities. Be prepared to redefine your concept of personal space and go with the flow rather than fight it. Daily schedules here tend to be flexible, determined by factors beyond your control such as traffic and rainstorms.
One of the best places to plunge into the maelstrom of urban Ghana is Kumasi’s Kejetia Market, with 11,000 stalls and a constant bombardment of noise, color and odor.
Manhyia Palace Museum, the physical and cultural heart of Kumasi, provides some respite. At this official residence of the king of the Ashanti people, the photos and royal artifacts on display offer an overview of the Ashanti Kingdom, past and present. If you’re lucky, you may get to see the king himself. He regularly grants official audiences to his people, with everyone dressed in traditional robes and drummers pounding a rhythmic soundtrack for the duration. It’s mesmerizing and timeless.
In contrast to Kumasi, where cultural heritage is paramount, Accra exhibits the proud face of modern Ghana. In this seafront capital the flag came down on British rule and the new nation was born.
The vast Black Star Square, backing onto the ocean, serves as the focal point of Independence Day celebrations on March 6 each year. Nearby, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Museum, with its ceremonial fountains and golden statues, commemorates Ghana’s founding father, Kwame Nkrumah (1909–1972).
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Museum
The Centre for National Culture, beside the Memorial Park, offers the best place to shop for souvenirs. Popular items include djembe drums, Kente cloth, tribal stools, wooden masks, carvings and brass figurines made using the traditional lost-wax technique.
But in truth, the most valuable and enduring memento you’ll take away from a visit to Ghana will be your memory of it. This is a country that indelibly changes your view of the world and of history.
Ghana Info to Go
International flights arrive at Kotoka International Airport, six miles north of downtown Accra. In August 2015, South African Airways launched international flights from Washington, D.C., (IAD) to Accra.
Taxis are inexpensive ($2–3 for a transfer into the city), though don’t expect Western standards of comfort; many of the licensed vehicles are falling to pieces. Transfers by limousine cost $43. Kumasi Airport is currently restricted to daylight domestic flights. Ongoing work will upgrade it into an international airport capable of receiving arrivals after dark.
Where to Stay in Ghana
Golden Tulip Kumasi City, Kumasi Opened in 2008 and wellestablished as the premier venue in Ghana’s second city, Golden Tulip offers an attractive setting amid tropical gardens. Rain Tree Street, Kumasi.
Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra Newly opened with a downtown location, the Kempinski instantly became Accra’s most prestigious address. Modern guestrooms feature an African twist. Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue, Accra $$$$
Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra Run by South Africa-based Legacy Hotels & Resorts, this modern property with colonial touches boasts a great seafront location, not far from the International Trade Centre. 1 La Bypass.
Restaurants in Ghana
Country Kitchen, Accra No frills, just great Ghanaian food, shoulder to shoulder with the locals. This is the place to try fufu (mashed cassava), jollof (a one-pot rice dish) and boiled yam. Second Ringway, Roberto Road,
Noble House, Kumasi Still the best Indian and Chinese cuisine in town. Ahodow Roundabout, Kumasi.
Sankofa Restaurant The flagship restaurant of Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel serves an eclectic menu offering international and local specialties and is especially good for fresh seafood. Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Cantonments Ridge, Accra $$$
Many come back to trace their origins. At Elmina Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482, I mixed with a group of African Americans. Ostensibly they were tourists, though the impact of a tour within these chilling walls is more akin to pilgrimage.
We followed an articulate local guide down into the cool, humid dungeon where slave traders once branded and shackled hundreds of slaves. And then we followed the well-trodden route out into the blinding sunlight of the courtyard and across it, and through a rusty metal gate to the “door of no return.”
Atlantic breakers crashed on the rocks at the foot of the impregnable walls. We gazed out to the sharp line of the horizon and imagined the magnitude of the journey imposed on the people who shuffled from this door to the waiting ships, a voyage many did not survive.
Cape Coast, a short drive from Elmina, harbors the most imposing edifice of all. Built by the Swedes and then seized by the British in 1665, it exported around 70,000 slaves to the New World every year.
Collectively, Ghana’s slave forts received UNESCO World Heritage status. Strung along the coast — some in ruins, others restored; some in active use (Christiansborg Castle in Accra, for instance, is Ghana’s official seat of government), others preserved as museums — they testify to an appalling chapter of human history.
For more than 300 years, Ghana was known to foreign powers as the Slave Coast. After the abolition of slavery in the early 19th century, exploitation switched to a lustrous precious metal, and the country became the Gold Coast until independence.
Gold is just one of the natural riches of the hinterland. During British rule, cocoa and rubber trees imported from the Americas flourished here. Ghana continues to produce 20 percent of the world’s cocoa; when you eat chocolate, there’s a good chance the cocoa came from here.
The indigenous rainforests were exploited for hardwood, and huge tracts were felled. A few fragments remain and provide a major tourist attraction in their own right. Kakum National Park, three hours west of Accra, offers the perfect place to experience the West African rainforest in its dense, verdant magnificence.
Although Kakum teems with animal life, the vegetation restricts viewing, and you’re unlikely to see the resident elephants, forest buffalo, leopards and antelope as you follow the walking trails through dappled shadow. The park’s highlight is a network of suspended walkways in the forest canopy, 160 feet above the ground. Here you can gain an eye-level view of troops of colobus and Diana monkeys and a dazzling array of tropical birdlife.
You’ll find African big game much easier to spot at Mole (pronounced Mo-lay) National Park in the north of the country. Getting there involves a six-hour drive from Kumasi, and accommodation, at Mole Motel on the park boundary, is rudimentary. However, the motel overlooks a busy waterhole, and wild elephants (and other animals) often roam through the grounds. (Be sure to keep the door to your room closed at all times — the resident baboons are opportunistic thieves.)
The country’s historic and natural attractions provide a mere sideshow to the main event: the immersive, vibrant dynamism of modern, urban Ghana. There is nothing understated about Ghanaian cities. Be prepared to redefine your concept of personal space and go with the flow rather than fight it. Daily schedules here tend to be flexible, determined by factors beyond your control such as traffic and rainstorms.
One of the best places to plunge into the maelstrom of urban Ghana is Kumasi’s Kejetia Market, with 11,000 stalls and a constant bombardment of noise, color and odor.
Manhyia Palace Museum, the physical and cultural heart of Kumasi, provides some respite. At this official residence of the king of the Ashanti people, the photos and royal artifacts on display offer an overview of the Ashanti Kingdom, past and present. If you’re lucky, you may get to see the king himself. He regularly grants official audiences to his people, with everyone dressed in traditional robes and drummers pounding a rhythmic soundtrack for the duration. It’s mesmerizing and timeless.
In contrast to Kumasi, where cultural heritage is paramount, Accra exhibits the proud face of modern Ghana. In this seafront capital the flag came down on British rule and the new nation was born.
The vast Black Star Square, backing onto the ocean, serves as the focal point of Independence Day celebrations on March 6 each year. Nearby, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Museum, with its ceremonial fountains and golden statues, commemorates Ghana’s founding father, Kwame Nkrumah (1909–1972).
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Museum
The Centre for National Culture, beside the Memorial Park, offers the best place to shop for souvenirs. Popular items include djembe drums, Kente cloth, tribal stools, wooden masks, carvings and brass figurines made using the traditional lost-wax technique.
But in truth, the most valuable and enduring memento you’ll take away from a visit to Ghana will be your memory of it. This is a country that indelibly changes your view of the world and of history.
Ghana Info to Go
International flights arrive at Kotoka International Airport, six miles north of downtown Accra. In August 2015, South African Airways launched international flights from Washington, D.C., (IAD) to Accra.
Taxis are inexpensive ($2–3 for a transfer into the city), though don’t expect Western standards of comfort; many of the licensed vehicles are falling to pieces. Transfers by limousine cost $43. Kumasi Airport is currently restricted to daylight domestic flights. Ongoing work will upgrade it into an international airport capable of receiving arrivals after dark.
Where to Stay in Ghana
Golden Tulip Kumasi City, Kumasi Opened in 2008 and wellestablished as the premier venue in Ghana’s second city, Golden Tulip offers an attractive setting amid tropical gardens. Rain Tree Street, Kumasi.
Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra Newly opened with a downtown location, the Kempinski instantly became Accra’s most prestigious address. Modern guestrooms feature an African twist. Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue, Accra $$$$
Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra Run by South Africa-based Legacy Hotels & Resorts, this modern property with colonial touches boasts a great seafront location, not far from the International Trade Centre. 1 La Bypass.
Restaurants in Ghana
Country Kitchen, Accra No frills, just great Ghanaian food, shoulder to shoulder with the locals. This is the place to try fufu (mashed cassava), jollof (a one-pot rice dish) and boiled yam. Second Ringway, Roberto Road,
Noble House, Kumasi Still the best Indian and Chinese cuisine in town. Ahodow Roundabout, Kumasi.
Sankofa Restaurant The flagship restaurant of Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel serves an eclectic menu offering international and local specialties and is especially good for fresh seafood. Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Cantonments Ridge, Accra $$$
Monday, 25 April 2016
GHANA: Africa World Airlines
Africa World Airlines was incorporated in 2010. It is a joint venture between Hainan Airlines, China-Africa Development Fund, SSNIT and SAS Finance Group.
Africa World Airlines took delivery on 30 August 2012 of its first Embraer 145 aircraft that will be used to operate domestic routes.
A second aircraft was delivered on 8 September 2012. These aircraft were previously operated by Tianjin Airlines which is a sister company within the HNA Group.
Africa World Airlines has plans to increase its fleet size by adding Airbus 319 series of aircraft, as of yet the number of aircraft to be added is undefined.
Destinations
Africa World Airlines operates the following scheduled services.
Ghana
Accra - Kotoka International Airport
Kumasi - Kumasi Airport
Takoradi - Takoradi Airport
Tamale - Tamale Airport
Nigeria
Lagos- Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Africa World Airlines is planning to increase its destinations, first with the addition of flights along the west coast of Africa and then to other regions of Africa.
GHANA: Africa World Airlines Gets IOSA Certification From International Air Transport Association (IATA)
The airline’s certificate is valid from May 1, 2015 to May 1, 2017 and it has subsequently been listed on the IOSA register.
According to IATA’s Vice President for Africa, Mr. Raphael Kuuchi, the IOSA programme is a safety and security audit programme run by the international body for airlines globally, which also enhances their safety and operational effectiveness.
He stated that with the issuance of the certificate to AWA, the airline has become one of the safest airlines in the world.
“It’s a safety and security audit programme run by IATA globally. It is not mandatory, its voluntary. But for the airlines that adopt it, it enhances their safety and operational effectiveness. It is a compilation of industry best practices and safety, and so we encourage all airlines to get it. Airlines that are IOSA-registered have the highest level of safety compared to the ones that are not IOSA.
“What this means for AWA is that today it is recognised as one of the over-400 airlines with the highest safety hallmark or credentials. Many airlines that are IOSA-registered around the world will be seeking to do business with airlines who are also IOSA-registered. AWA now has to take advantage of this and get out there to try and work with other partner airlines that are IOSA-certified and try and grow their networks,” Mr. Kuuchi said.
Chief Operations Officer of AWA, Samuel Thompson said the issuance of the IOSA certificate to the airline puts it on the map for good business opportunities.
“With the IOSA certification, customers can have comfort knowing that an IOSA-registered airline actually complies with the stringent standards and practices governing aviation safety. “The IOSA-registered member also opens doors for alliances and partnerships with other IOSA registIMG_0897ered Airlines. It also puts AWA on the map for good business opportunities,” Samuel Thompson, Chief Operations Officer of AWA said.
Meanwhile, the airline has promised to garner more of the market share in the country’s aviation sector.
The airline invested in by a Chinese company has already captured half of the aviation market in Ghana and has become one of the most popular regional airlines in West Africa.
Despite its high levels of fragmentation, Africa’s Aviation market has significant opportunities for growth, and that’s attracted some Chinese investors. Ghana’s Africa World Airlines, registered in 2010, is one such opportunity. It is a joint venture by Chinese and Ghanaian investors, and the carrier has grown to serve a larger and larger section of the potential market in Ghana.
AWA started operations in 2012 using Embraer 145 Jets. The airline is co-financed by China’s HNA Group, the China-Africa Development Fund, Ghana’s Social Security and National Insurance Trust, and Ghana’s SAS Finance Group. Starting from 1 flight at the very beginning, their travel routes have increased over 3 years of expansion to 22 domestic and international flights per day. Over 98 percent of its 216 staff are Ghanaian.
In addition to its strong financial support, AWA also inherited the strict safety management and service standards of Hainan Airlines. Their strong safety management and good service records helped the airline win the award for Domestic Airline for 2014 from the Ghana Tourism Authority.
A growing number of African countries including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa hope to expand aviation cooperation with China in projects such as co-funded airlines, airport construction or aircraft manufacturing.
Wednesday, 13 April 2016
GHANA: Kwame Ofosu Bamfo Voted Hotelier Of The Year
He thanked the two organisations for the honour done him and pledged his commitment to the national effort to develop the tourism industry, and also reiterated his call for innovative ways improving service delivery in the hospitality industry.
“We need to increase the comfort of our guests and also train staff members and expose them to new trends to enable them delight customers and thus encourage repeat visits.” The citation from the tourism authority stated that: “Mr. Kwame Ofosu Bamfo is a classic example of Ghanaian entrepreneurial acumen, having successfully ventured into the tourism sector in 1999 with the initial construction and operation of the 14-bedroom Alisa Hotel in Labone and later North Ridge, Accra.
“Today, Alisa Hotel is a four-star rated hotel with 267 rooms delivering hospitality services with a touch of elegance and style that makes every Ghanaian proud. For this achievement, the Ghana Tourism Authority is pleased to confer on Mr. Kwame Ofosu Bamfo the Outstanding Investment in Tourism 2015 award,” the GTA noted.
Located in the heart of Ghana’s capital city, Alisa Hotel offers easy access to the commercial district, Accra’s tourist attractions, and is only 15 minutes from the Kotoka International Airport. Set in a serene and cozy neighborhood, the hotel offers a wide range of leisure facilities and is fast becoming Ghana’s conference address.
The hotel has over the years received many awards because it continues to invest in a true evolution, delivering panache and genuine world-class hospitality with a distinctive new rhythm and style. Its 267 magnificent hotel suites, guestrooms and 12 conference rooms with various capacities demonstrate tasteful design of the finest materials from floor-to-ceiling, showcasing a sophisticated urban feel with plush picturesque views of the capital.
Thursday, 21 January 2016
GHANA: Starbow Airlines
The company was originally incorporated in October 1997 as Aero Surveys Limited and later rebranded its activities as Air Shuttle. It operated two Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante aircraft for domestic charters and air taxi services, gaining its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), in August 2009.
In 2011, the ownership of the airline changed, which resulted in a further rebranding to a new commercial name, Starbow, with regional flights in mind. A communication and recruitment campaign was launched and two 94 seat BAe 146-300 jet aircraft were acquired for scheduled domestic passenger services.
Starbow began domestic flights out of Kotoka International Airport on 26 September 2011, serving Kumasi and Tamale. The aircraft offered both business and economy class seating. Starbow added its 3rd destination on 8 November 2011, with return flights to Takoradi from its Accra base.
On 3 February 2012, after just 5 months in operation, Starbow announced that they had finalised a deal to lease two additional BAe 146-300 aircraft that would double their fleet size to 4 aircraft. The aircraft entered into service less than 6 months later.
Starbow's first international route was announced on 31 July 2012. The up to 5 times weekly service from Accra to Cotonou in Benin started 13 August 2012.Abidjan in the Ivory Coast became the carrier's second international destination. The route launched on 8 November 2012 with flights operating up to 5 times weekly from Accra. Starbow also expressed ambitions for further regional routes to be provided.
Starbow announced on 16 December 2012 that they were adding a 97-seat BAe 146-200 to their fleet.
However, in early 2013 all international services were suspended due to poor performance. In November 2013, press reports said that Starbow were to go ahead with fleet renewal plans following the recent appointment of an agent to dispose of the current fleet of two BAe 146-300s and one BAe 146-200, with the third BAe 146-300 being sold for parts. Collectively, the aircraft average 25 years of age. Starbow was reportedly still considering its options for potential replacement aircraft.
Also in November 2013, Starbow's CEO James Eric Antwi said they would move their business out of Ghana if the Government does not address the concerns of domestic airlines, citing small market size and low fares as some of their concerns, and saying that Starbow could relocate their business to other countries such as the Ivory Coast.
Starbow currently operates to and from the following destinations:
Ghana
*Accra - Kotoka International Airport Hub
*Kumasi - Kumasi Airport
*Takoradi - Takoradi Airport
*Tamale - Tamale Airport
Starbow also operates charter services from its Accra base to other cities in the sub-region.
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