Minister of Tourism, Juliana Azumah-Mensah, has charged the tourism industry to continue improving upon its potential because it has the tendency to project to the whole world that “we are ready to bounce back from the world’s economic recession”.

In the world today, every sector of a country’s economy is hacked by an acute financial difficulty, forcing governments to make good use of their rather scarce and meager resources.

Thus, the challenge, she stated, “is to assert our resolve to work closely with all our partners, including both public and private tourism related sectors as well as District Assemblies and the communities to plan and showcase what Ghana has to offer to the world during the International World Tourism Day”.

She averred that programmes and activities lined up for the occasion should create a lasting impression on all “our visitors and beckon them to make repeated visits to the country”.

Mrs. Azumah-Mensah made the call at the launch of the 30th edition of World Tourism Day celebration to be hosted by Ghana from September 21 to 27 this year.

Last year’s event was hosted by Peru on the theme; “Tourism – Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change”.

Several countries have had the opportunity to play host to millions of tourists since the day was set aside by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1980 and later became rotational among countries. Establishment of the agency was aimed at promoting and creating awareness among the International Community, policy makers and communities about the important role tourism plays in social, cultural and economic development.

Out of the 52 African countries, Ghana got the nod to host this year’s event by acclamation. It is believed that her peaceful nature and hospitality won her such a feat.

The event, which seeks to bring tourists from all over the world, is themed, “Tourism: Celebrating Diversity”.

For the Minister, the theme explains why governments across the world, especially developing countries such as Ghana had shifted focus from over reliance on traditional exports and brought the tourism sector into the forefront as a major economic activity, designed at resuscitating their economies.

UNWTO, the she indicated, sees tourism as a catalyst for peace, an activity and experience, which builds bridge between cultures and inspires understanding.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Azumah-Mensah mentioned that tourism is the fourth foreign exchange earner in the country, attracting about 600,000 visitors and over a billion dollars in 2008.

It creates about 300,000 jobs directly and indirectly with additional income from domestic tourism. In 2007, a total amount of GH¢418,000 was reported to have been bagged as gate fees alone in 25 local tourist sites.


Source: Daily Guide