By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Takoradi, Oct. 30, GNA – The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has called on tourism and hospitality operators to adopt responsible animal welfare practices to enhance Ghana’s reputation as an ethical, safe and sustainable tourist destination.
Mr Henry Yeleduor, Western Regional Director of the GTA, said the treatment of animals in hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and tour operations increasingly influenced visitors’ perceptions of destinations.
He said animal welfare was not only a matter of compassion but also a key component of service standards, quality assurance and responsible tourism.
Mr Yeleduor made the call during an animal welfare stakeholder engagement organised by the GTA in collaboration with the Animal Welfare League in Takoradi.
The engagement was held on the theme: “Promoting Responsible Animal Welfare Practices in Ghana’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector.”
He noted that as tourism continued to grow, operators needed to pay closer attention to global expectations regarding ethical and sustainable tourism practices.
Mr Yeleduor said international visitors, cruise tourists and domestic travellers were increasingly concerned about the safety, ethical treatment and welfare of animals at tourism destinations.
He observed that the expected arrival of cruise passengers aboard the Silver Muse on October 31 further underscored the need for tourism operators to uphold responsible animal welfare standards.
According to him, the draft Animal Welfare Policy provides a proposed framework to guide the treatment and management of animals within the tourism and hospitality industry.
The framework seeks to ensure the provision of adequate food and water, suitable shelter and living conditions, protection from pain and distress, and opportunities for animals to express natural behaviours.
It also emphasises staff awareness, veterinary care, responsible sourcing of animals and the proper management of interactions between animals and visitors.
Mr Yeleduor said the engagement sought to familiarise stakeholders with the principles of animal welfare under Ghanaian laws and international best practices, while highlighting how poor treatment of animals could negatively affect destination image and visitor satisfaction.
He added that the programme was expected to help participants identify practical measures to improve animal welfare standards in hotels, restaurants, tour operations and tourist attractions.
Mr Yeleduor urged participants to contribute their experiences and practical ideas to the discussions and become advocates for responsible animal welfare practices in the Western region and across the country.
He reaffirmed the GTA’s commitment to collaborating with the Animal Welfare League and other industry stakeholders to promote practices that protect animals while enhancing visitors’ experiences.
Mr Yeleduor thanked facilitators, partners and participants for supporting the initiative and expressed optimism that the deliberations would yield practical outcomes for the tourism and hospitality sector.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/ Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Mildred Siabi-Mensah