By Emelia B. Addae
Koforidua, Sept. 28, GNA – The Eastern Region is hosting the 2026 National World Tourism Day celebration in Koforidua on the theme: “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Redesign Tourism.”
The annual United Nations World Tourism Day, observed on September 27 each year, highlights the social, cultural, political and economic significance of tourism to sustainable development.
Speaking at the celebration, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, said the Eastern region was well positioned to benefit from digital tourism, given its potential in ecotourism, adventure tourism, heritage, wellness, astronomy, creative tourism, meetings and events.
She said AI, digital payments, social media, virtual experiences and online booking platforms were transforming how people discovered destinations, shared experiences, and made travel decisions.
Madam Gomashie urged stakeholders to use digital platforms to package and promote Ghana’s cultural heritage, festivals, museums, fashion, film and natural attractions to the global market.
She said tourism professionals must combine Ghana’s traditional hospitality with digital marketing, content creation and online customer engagement to improve service delivery and make the sector more competitive.
Madam Gomashie identified customer service as one of the areas requiring attention, saying Ghana’s traditional culture of respect and hospitality provided a strong foundation for improving service delivery in the tourism sector.
She, therefore, called for deliberate efforts to combine Ghana’s traditional hospitality with modern digital skills and innovation, saying the country could only fully benefit from its tourism potential when its attractions were well packaged, professionally marketed and matched with quality services.
Mrs Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), said the Ghana Tourism Information System (GTIS) had moved key services online, enabling tourism operators to register and license establishments, track applications and inspections, and file and pay tourism levies.
She said the USSD service, 41518#, also provided access to selected services for operators with limited internet connectivity.
Mrs Houadjeto said the system would enable the public to verify the licensing status of tourism establishments and help the GTA strengthen monitoring and enforcement against non-compliant operators.
She urged unlicensed operators to use the digital platforms to regularise their businesses and encouraged stakeholders to harness AI and technology to create jobs, empower young people and local enterprises, and improve visitor experiences.
Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, Eastern Regional Minister, said AI could help tourism businesses understand customer preferences, provide personalised recommendations, respond to enquiries, translate information and forecast demand.
She stressed the need to ensure that tourism operators, including hoteliers, tour guides, transport operators, artisans, farmers, content creators and local communities, were not left behind in the digital transformation.
Mrs Awatey also urged traditional authorities, local communities and custodians of culture to use technology to preserve and promote Ghana’s stories, heritage and languages.
The celebration formed part of activities for the Eastern Expo 2026, which brought together businesses, investors, tourism stakeholders and visitors to showcase the Region’s tourism potential.
GNA
Edited by D. I. Laary/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Emelia B. Addae
Email: [email protected]