By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
Accra, Nov. 12, GNA, – Mr Yofi Grant, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), says players within the tourism value chain must see culture as key driving force, and leverage on it to promote tourism.
He said culture had the power to boost tourism and Ghana’s cultural heritage should be the catalyst to draw the much-needed revenue and wealth for the industry and country.
“As we develop tourism, we must recognise that the key driving force in that industry is our culture.”
He said this at the just ended 2021 National Tourism Awards held in Accra, which saw 33 institutions and personalities take home various prizes for contributing to the growth of the sector.
The national awards this year was to honour people who had contributed to the growth of tourism and had the theme: “Sustainable Tourism Growth, The Role of The Private Sector.”
Mr Grant said the sector increasingly had become the golden hen laying the country’s golden eggs, and those in the sector should not take it for granted.
He said Ghana’s tourism sector was one of the sectors retaking shape after the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic and service delivery in the industry particularly the hospitality sector had to double up in ensuring high quality service delivery.
It is estimated that tourism receipts would be over $ 4 billion dollars by 2025, having recorded $ 2.1 billion in 2021 with a projected $ 2.3 billion in 2022.
Mr Akwasi Agyemang, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), said the industry had seen some rebounds with new accommodation projects of 421 that had registered with the Authority.
There had been 5078 new rooms estimated at about GHS 316 million with restaurants and entertainment centres numbering about 107 estimated at GHS 14.5 million.
“Under the ‘Ghana Cares’ project, over the past year we have had about 3100 practitioners trained in customer care, product knowledge and business development,” he said.
Mr Agyemang said proceeds from the Tourism Development Fund were being used to build projects in places like Paga, Bonwire, Pikworo, whilst projects at Nzulezu, Bunso and Tetteh Farms among others had been completed.
The event had 33 personalities and institutions selected from the categories of accommodation, food, beverage and entertainment, travels and media by a Jury.
The Ghana News Agency (GNA), won the 2021 Tourism Oriented Online Media of the year at the just ended National Tourism Awards in Accra.
The Agency swept the enviable award in the online category after beating Ghanaweb and Voyages Afriq for its contribution towards the development of tourism in Ghana and Africa.
Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City won the 5Star Hotel of the Year and Le Mangellan Restaurant emerged winner of the Restaurant Grade 1 of the Year.
The Tour Operators of the Year went to Adansi Travels whilst the Excellence in the Promotion of Local Cuisine award was swept by Azmera Restaurant.
Mr Kwame Ofosu Bamfo, Chief Executive Officer, Alisa Hotels won the Tourism Personality of the Year; Tourism Programme of the Year went to Chalewote Street Art Festival and Tourism Club of the Year was awarded to Let’s Tour Ghana.
GNA