Akwasi Agyeman
The Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) is optimistic of a productive 2022 with exciting domestic tourism activities.
The president of the federation, Madam Bella Ahu said though COVID-19 had crushed the industry, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and its implementing agencies were taking steps to ensure that the industry bounced back fully.
According to Madam Ahu, the ministry is now focusing on domestic tourism as the way to go, which was receiving good patronage.
In an interview with GNA, the president mentioned that plans were underway to repackage a lot of Ghanaian festivals to attract more visitors from different part of the country.
She indicated that their main target for 2022 is to improve domestic tourism, adding that training programmes would be organised for industry players to enhance their skills to be able to deliver better services.
She said this December a lot of activities had been outlined by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and Beyond The Return Secretariat for the ‘December In GH’ events which include ‘Afrochella’, ‘Taste In Ghana’, ‘Diaspora Transition’, ‘Takoradi Festival’ and a host of others.
“Since 2019, December has become a key month for tourism growth, especially with high profile events drawing thousands across the globe into the country,” she stated.
Madam Ahu further said Ghana continued to be the destination of choice in West Africa during holiday season, and that it was anticipated thousands of travellers would be arriving in the country throughout the coming weeks.
She added that per the plans of GTA, this year’s activities would also include happenings in the other regions that would give travellers to Ghana an opportunity to explore other parts of the country and partake in the various cultures.
“Events have been endorsed to happen in the other regions like Volta, Upper East, Western and Bono East regions,” she disclosed.
She urged event organisers to adhere strictly to all COVID-19 protocols to prevent the rise of COVID-19 infections during and after the events.