Ghana to host World Tourism Day
Audrey Micah, Ghanadot

Accra, May 13, Ghanadot - Ghana has been nominated by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to host this year’s International World Tourism Day come September 2009. This will mark the 30Th celebration of World Tourism Day.

This year’s World Tourism Day celebration is under the theme, “Tourism Celebrating Diversity”

Speaking at a media launch in Accra today, the Chairman of the National Planning Committee of the Ghana Tourist Board, Mr. Charles Osei-Bonsu explained that the day is set aside to celebrate and address the significant role tourism play in the creation of opportunities for jobs and the elimination of poverty in Ghana and the world at large.

“World Tourism Day is aimed at fostering awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural and economic values.”

As part of preparations to towards the occasion which he noted will firmly secure Ghana’s position on the world tourism map in Africa, the committee set up by the Ministry of Tourism has prepared a comprehensive programme aimed at spreading the celebration of the event nationwide.

PROGRAMME WORLD TOURISM DAY IN GHANA

Monday 21Th September 2009-Orientation and Fam Tour for Foreign and Local Press and Travel Writers in all the regions. Official Opening of Tourism Exhibition at the International Conference Centre.

Tuesday 22ND September 2009-Tourism Conference in Accra

Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24Th September 2009-Accra City Tour for all visitors, Gastronomy Fair and Tourism Conference.

Friday 25Th September 2009-Launching the 2ND Phase of Green School Project Competition in the Ashanti region and a Welcome Reception.

Saturday 26Th September 2009-Official Tour-Cocoa Trial, Bunso Aboretum, CRIG, Tetteh Quarshie original Cocoa Farm in the Eastern region and a Musical Concert in Accra the same day.

Sunday 27Th September 2009 will climax the event with the Think Tank Theme “Tourism Celebration Diversity”, A Press Briefing and What Do You Know about Tourism Competition finals will be held. Ghana Gala Night an exposition of Ghanaian cuisine, music, dance and fashion will be held at the Banquet Hall of the State House.

The Minister of Tourism Mrs. Juliana Azumah-Mensah who spoke to GhanaDot after the media launch said, tourism affects all sectors of the economy which is why governments across the world, particularly developing countries have shifted focus from over reliance on the traditional exports to make tourism a major economic activity.

According to her, tourism is currently the world’s biggest industry which represents some 5% of GDP and 6% of jobs in developed countries. She said global tourism services experts over $1 million a year which represents 1/3 of global service exports.

In Ghana, the minister reiterated that tourism is the number four foreign exchange eaner, and that out of about 600,000 visitors Ghana is able to generate more than $1 billion in 2008, adding that “it creates about 300,000 jobs directly and indirectly for our people”.

She noted that domestic tourism is helping the country redistribute incomes in Ghana, and that in 2007 alone, a total amount of GH 418,000 was collected as gate fees alone in 25 tourist sites.

Mrs. Juliana Azumah-Mensah established that though tourism is facing challenges due to the current economic downturn, she believed that the industry will bounce back soon.

She called on the media to educate and promote the positive image of Ghana as tourism destination.