Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey has touted Ghana as a country with naturally generated tourism potential sites nationwide.
In a speech at the Grand Durbar of Chiefs and People of Ada held in Agorkpo, as a commemoration of World Tourism Day, themed ‘Tourism and Green Investments’; Investing In People, Planet and Prosperity.’, he presented statistics of Ghana’s ranking by the 2021 World Economic Forum Report Travel Index as the number one tourism destination in Africa. 2022’s annual report indicated a surge in international arrivals which gave Ghana a formidable lead regarding Tourism in West Africa as deserved for her effortlessness in giving the best tourism experiences.
“The World Economic Forum Report, 2021 Travel Index, ranks Ghana as the number one tourism destination in West Africa; furthermore, the 2022 annual report shows that international arrivals grew by about 47% from 623,523 in 2021 to 914,892 in 2022. This means that Ghana’s arrival recovery stood at 81% from pre-pandemic levels, far above the African average.” he submitted.
Mr. Okraku Mantey linked these achievements to Ghana’s flourishing ecotourism status which stands as a natural phenomenon. He noted that Ghana is endowed with numerous ecotourism sites especially in Ada and its enclave. He hereby advised Ghanaians to preserve these sites for further development. “The development of ecotourism in our communities lies in the preservation of the tangible and intangible aspects of our cultural heritage, our environment, gastronomy and fashion.”
He hinted that Ghana is naturally aligned with the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day celebrations and is presented with the opportunity to enhance the promotion of ecotourism and make a notable contribution to the development of people and the planet Earth. “Given that Ghana is a flourishing ecotourism destination, the theme for the World Tourism Day celebration: Tourism and Green Investments, is not only timely but necessary. This year’s UNWTO celebration presents us the opportunity to enhance more forcefully, the promotion of ecotourism as well as investing in people and the planet.”
World Tourism Day is celebrated globally on September 27 every year. This year’s World Tourism Day celebration was hosted in Saudi Arabia in the city of Riyahd. The United Nations World Tourism Organization and The Ghana Tourism Authority celebrate World Tourism Day under the theme, ‘Tourism and Green Investments’; Investing In People, Planet and Prosperity. This highlights the symbiotic relationship between tourism, the environment, the planet Earth and the sector as a vehicle to promote the development of the country and sustainable growth for the people through traditional and indigenous innovative investments.
