By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Nov. 27, GNA -Mr. Emmanuel Frimpong, a tourism analyst, has urged presidential candidates in Ghana’s upcoming general election to prioritize the development of emerging tourism sectors.
He said sectors such as medical tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), agro-tourism, sports tourism, virtual and augmented reality, and cultural heritage, were crucial for the sustainable growth of Ghana’s tourism industry.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Frimpong highlighted the potential of the creative arts industry to support tourism and contribute significantly to the national economy.
While acknowledging some government efforts, he expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of a coordinated strategy, inadequate skilled personnel, and poor customer service within the tourism sector.
Mr. Frimpong stressed that the next government should focus on creating an environment conducive to attracting both local and foreign direct investment into the sector, beyond just infrastructure development.
He also suggested that Ghana could establish itself as a religious tourism hub, leveraging its biblical and religious significance to attract global visitors.
Mr. Frimpong pointed out that the key to success lay in how well tourism products and services were marketed and sold, not just in what was available.
He called for stronger collaboration between the private sector, public sector, and academia to overcome existing fragmentation within the industry.
Mr. Frimpong said emphasized the importance of capacity building and addressing the skill mismatches in the tourism and hospitality sectors, which he thought had hindered the industry’s growth.
He urged the next government to adopt a deliberate and coordinated approach to market Ghana’s tourism both domestically and internationally to make the country a global tourism destination.
“Poor customer service and emotional intelligence are barriers to growth; thus, incoming government must prioritize skill development to uplift the sector and enhance customer experiences,” he stated.
GNA