By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Jan. 21, GNA – Mrs Alisa Asamoah, President, Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) has called on the tourism minister-designate to push for a policy that mandates tourists to only engage licensed tour operators when visiting Ghana.
She emphasized that qualified, trained tour operators were essential to ensuring a positive experience for visitors, which will encourage repeat visits and recommendations.
“We crave to enhance visitor experience as a country, and increase tourist arrivals hence, the call on the minister to make a conscious effort to push for such a policy.”
Mrs Asamoah made this call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, on Monday, in Accra.
She added that such a policy would help government generate more revenue for the development of the industry and country at large.
“Visitors must be encouraged to go through licensed operators because such operators were regulated and pay taxes to the country and not just any operator they find online. From booking hotels, renting cars, visiting tourist sites among others.”
She also called for the empowerment of tour operators through intensive skills training because they were usually the first point of call for visitors and tourists, and they were responsible for marketing destination Ghana.
The president of TOUGHA also urged the Minister designate to champion the organization of global international exhibitions in Ghana, that would allow other countries to participate and for government generate more revenue.
She also appealed that visa’s for tourists visiting Ghana should be seamless across board. “Because we are promoting the destination, if visitors are willing and ready to come the process should be made flexible for them.”
“Tour operators play a significant role in the sector, hence they must be considered part of governments delegation to international tourism conferences, so that they can gain some experience as well as add their voices in decision making.”
Mrs Asamoah said the domestic tourism campaign must also be improved by the minister, urging her to study and address the issues outlined in TOUGHA’s report from its 2024 regional tour to various tourist sites.
She congratulated Madam Gomashie on her nomination, and encouraged her to run an all-inclusive ministry, where all sector players would be given the needed attention and support to be able to grow individually and collectively for the sector.
She also expressed TOUGHA’s readiness to collaborate with the new minister to achieve the sector’s goals.
GNA