E-services game changer for hospitality business - CEO of Best Western Premier
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Best Western Premier Hotel, Zibrim Yamusah, has described electronic (e)-service as a game changer to the hospitality industry.
Mr Yamusah said the various digital platforms currently in use had created the needed environment for players in the hospitality industry to serve their clients better.
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He mentioned booking of services, marketing and the making of payments as some of the areas that e-commerce had impacted positively.
Mr Yamusah said this in an interview with the acting Editor of the Graphic Business, Charles Benoni Okine, shortly after the Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast meeting which was held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.
Breakfast meeting
The thought-leadership programme, which has grown to become one of the major agenda-setting events on the national calendar, offers a platform for experts in various fields to discuss critical and relevant topics that has the potential to contribute to economic and social growth.
On the theme, “Integration of E-Service into our economy: Implications for economic growth,” last Tuesday’s meeting was the first of four quarterly events scheduled for the year to throw the spotlight on topics that borders on the economy.
Reservations
Mr Yamusah explained that unlike previously when guests had to reserve their rooms or restaurant services by using phone calls, they could now make their reservations through a number of digital platforms.
He said managers of the facilities could also take upfront payments through electronic platforms, leading to better cash management for the facilities.
Payment systems
Mr Yamusah said the biggest innovation for him was the introduction of mobile money and other payment services system, which had made it possible for customers to pay for their reservations without coming to the hotel.
“Previously, you had to come to the hotel and pay as you check in, but today, you can pay for your services before you even come,” he stated.
Responding to a question on whether businesses use e-services to evade taxes, Mr Yamusah said he disagreed with that assertion.
“The tax authorities should find creative ways of tracking all these payments and tax them. The telcos must also provide a lot more information to the tax authorities for them to be able to take the appropriate taxes. The government must make it mandatory,” he stated.
Good presentations
Mr Yamusah also shared his thoughts on the presentations at the breakfast meeting, describing that as very thought-provoking.
“The presentations were fantastic, the consultants who delivered the presentations were very knowledgeable and had a lot of experience in E-Services in Ghana,” he said.