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Entertainment on Saturday, September 26, 2020
Source: GNA
2020-09-26
Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture, Barbara Oteng Gyasi
September 27, 2020, World Tourism Day, would be celebrated globally under the auspices of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
This year’s theme “Tourism and Rural Development” touches on rural communities, their role and potential for tourism development and also as a reminder and an opportunity to expand the reach of tourism by reaching out to rural communities.
In a statement signed by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng Gyasi and issued to the Ghana News Agency on Friday in Accra, it was said that Ghana’s tourism made great strides in 2019, under the Campaign of the Year of Return. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the industry.
He said its harsh effects on the tourism industry include a delay in the launch and deployment of “Beyond Return” activities, a general recession in the sector’s performance, massive and unexpected loss of income and jobs.
Some of the main short-term and long-term measures implemented by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the solid recovery and growth of the tourism industry include a $ 4 million grant line for the development and diversification of tourist sites throughout the territory. in the country, especially in rural communities, a donation mechanism of US $ 5 million to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism and hospitality sector.
“A GHC 3 billion facility with a moratorium on repayment and a reduced interest rate for large players in specific industries, including the hospitality sector, a GHC 600 million COVID-19 stimulus package for small and medium-sized businesses ( SMEs) in general, which is also available to tourism SMEs “.
Others include the GHC 50 million allocation to the creative arts and media, revitalizing the Ghana Tourism Authority’s See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana and Feel Ghana campaign to promote national tourism and highlight the proposal of Ghana’s only selling in the industry.
“The” Beyond Return “initiative – a continuation of the successful” Year of Return “campaign, which seeks to promote and consolidate relations between the African diaspora and Ghana.”
The statement said Ghana has also obtained the WTTC Safe Travel Certificate to ensure international tourists seeking to travel to Ghana of their safety as the country opens its airport for international flights and established a National Heritage Committee in collaboration with UNESCO to develop strategies, policies and programs on the conservation, preservation, presentation and promotion of heritage to foster intercultural dialogue and the promotion of Tourism for sustainable development.
He promised the continued support of the ministry for the promotion and development of tourism in Ghana, expresses his appreciation and praised all professionals in the sector; that in difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic remained committed to keeping Ghana on the competitive international tourism map as the preferred tourist destination in West Africa.
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