Ghana: tourism industry records growth

Accra – The Executive Director of the Ghana Tourism Board, Martin Mireku on Wednesday disclosed that the tourism industry over the years has made giant strides which have enabled it to record immense revenue of US$1.2billion by December 31, last year. According to him, the feat achieved by the industry translates into 5% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which was recorded during the period, indicating that tourism has increased from 11% to 25% between 2006 and last year.

Mireku divulged this at a press briefing on the National Tourism Awards in Accra, on Wednesday, stating that this was the eighth time that the Ghana Tourism Board was organising a National Awards scheme which affords an opportunity to celebrate excellence and professionalism in an increasingly competitive tourism industry.

The award also placed emphasis on the performance of the industry during the African Cup of Nations and the 12th United Nation Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) which were hosted in the country this year.

According to Mireku, the two events gave the industry magnitude and tasking demands on the hospitality and the tourism industry’s infrastructure and service levels, which he stated provided opportunities for the industry’s players to flaunt their prowess.

“Also given the favourable domestic and socio-economic ambiance in Ghana, the industry has been steadily growing at an impressive rate,” he noted.

He stated that the national award – which is a biennial event – was instituted in 1997 and has become one of the nation’s most prominent awards which rewards excellence but also demands the best service delivery in the tourism sector.

Mireku indicated that the core objective of these awards was to publicly recognise and reward stakeholders in the industry who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of tourism and travel industry.

He added that the 10 regions were grouped into three zones namely savannah, and the middle and the coastal zones, where the award would be held.

Emphasising on areas of the awards, he said they also focused on the cleanest towns, villages and communities which are a “demonstration of general cleanliness, responsible preservation of tourism products and encouraging of the development and promotion of tourism within their jurisdiction.”

The award would also give room to traditional caterers (chop bars) with good storage facilities, satisfactory state of care, hygienic and comfortable environments.

For clarity and transparency, the jury for the nomination would be a composition of different institutions and industry in the country.

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle

Share

FREE  for 30 days

 Email This  Print This