This year’s ‘Tourism Month’ has been launched in Accra yesterday with a call on tourism operators to support the initiative to ensure Ghana becomes a hub for sustainable development of tourism and preferred destination in the West African Sub-region.
The ‘Tourism Month’ which falls in September every year aimed to encourage patronage of important festivals and tourist sites in the country.
This year’s celebration which is under the theme: “Rethinking Tourism” would focus on domestic tourism and the critical role it could play in growing an inclusive and sustainable tourism economy.
The Deputy Chief Executive /Operations of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr Ekow Sampson said this year’s Tourism Month fell on the same period as the World Tourism Day celebrated by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
“It is important to note that apart from the economic benefits, tourism serves as a vehicle to present Ghana’s unique cultural, historical and environmental heritage to the international community and educate Ghanaians about our own heritage. Moreover, tourism generates revenue, provides jobs and employment to the youth of the country,” he added
He said government was currently pursuing quality tourism development that was internationally competitive and compatible with Ghana’s social values and environmental settings.
Mr Sampson said the upgrade and renovation of various tourist sites and attractions across the country through the Ghana Tourism Development Project of the World Bank, has a positive effect on visitations of both domestic and international tourists to these sites and attractions.
“The Authority’s “Experience Ghana, Share Ghana” agenda coupled with the “December in GH” events and activities as part of the “Beyond the Return” initiative are indications of the GTA’s readiness to promote Destination Ghana as the centre of the world,” he stated.
He urged tourism private sector bodies, trade associations and the media to continue to support the initiative and called on all stakeholders and sponsors to come on board to celebrate the month.
Activities earmarked for this year’s celebration included the OguaaFetuAfahye in Cape Coast, Central Region; AsogliTeza (yam festival) in Ho,Volta Region; Kobine Festival, Lawra, Upper West Region;Kundum festival in Axim, Western Region, AhobaaKese Festival in GomoaAssin in the Central Region and the Odwira festival at Akropong, Eastern Region.
The rest are Fun and Fly Paragliding Festival, King of the Mountains Cycling Championship, Special Tour to augment the Paragliding Festival all in Kwahu, Miss Tourism, Explosion of Joy, Sensitisation Workshop on Tourist Sites, Tourism Fitness Day Health Walk, The Global Citizen in Accra, Ghana week in Washington DC and United Nation World Tourism Day in Wa, Upper West Region.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
