A scene at the hotel
HBD Company, operators of Omali, BomBom, Roca and Sundy Praia Hotels located in São Tomé and Príncipe, an island nation in Africa, has extended invitation to Ghanaian tourists.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE during a familiarization visit to Ghana to engage stakeholders in the industry, HBD General Manager, Manuel da Fonseca Barbosa, said the company has, since its establishment on the island, contributed to the sustainable development of its infrastructure, heritage, tourism, agro-forestry and fisheries.
Mr Barbosa said HBD has through an investment of close to 17 million Euros established Sundy Praia, a hotel with 15-tented villas on the edge of the ocean with spacious indoor and outdoor areas, including private terraces.
Giving further clarification, Mr. Barbosa said the serene nature of the hotels is enhanced by the original bamboo dining area where local organic produce transforms meals into an unforgettable culinary journey.
Explaining the rationale behind the establishment of the hotels on the islands, he said it was to contribute to sustainable development of the islands.
He said hotels currently offer more than 600 jobs, mostly for local workers, especially trained by HBD to deliver superior services to tourists on the island.
Mr Barbosa said HBD is supporting the recycling of plastic bottles on the island and so far about 50 tonnes of plastics had been recycled into blocks for the construction of buildings.
Sao Tome and Principe, with a population of 7,000, hosted about 11,000 tourists last year.
Principe Island is part of the World Network of Biosphere reserves, a global programme to foster the conservation of biological and cultural diversity that promotes economic and social development based on partnerships.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri