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The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has advised hoteliers to reduce hotel rates according to current circumstances, in order to boost domestic tourism.
Executive Director Alexander Nketia said that the Covid-19 pandemic has destroyed international tourism, yet it offers the industry an opportunity to begin deepening, expanding and fostering domestic tourism.
“Hoteliers must offer rates and packages that fit the pocket of national tourists,” he revealed at the Volta Regional Tourism Awards 2019.
Additionally, he emphasized the need to strengthen the capacity of various industry stakeholders, including the public sector and GHATOF members, both financially and technologically to drive the industry forward.
Alexander Nketia also proposed to state and private agencies to offer vouchers to their workers so that they can visit tourist sites to explore the beautiful nature.
The Volta Regional Minister Dr. Archibald Letsa, who is an industry player, touted the huge tourism potential of the Volta Region, naming as examples the old fort, the great flora and fauna, unspoiled beaches, rolling mountains and waterfalls. along with traditional rites and festivals.
However, he lamented the development of tourism in the region as very poor.
Dr. Letsa said that “it is regrettable that tourism development in the region has been relatively poor.”
The Minister, therefore, encouraged the residents of the Region to show interest in tourism and its promotion.
He believes that when citizens use their networks and invest in tourism, tourism will occupy a central place in advancing the development of the region.
According to him, the government launched “beyond return, the diaspora dividend” in order to ensure the sustainability and benefits of the year of return, which generated some enthusiasm in the industry.
Hotel accommodation rates remain one of the main considerations for local tourists who travel longer distances to the Volta region for fun.
The region registered fewer than 6,000 tourists at the 10 known tourist sites in the region. The impact of covid will drastically reduce the numbers this year.
The awards that were scheduled for March 28, 2020 had to be postponed until the meeting ban and other restrictions were relaxed due to the covid pandemic.
In total, 19 awards for merit were won, while another seven honorary awards were given to deserving individuals who contributed to the industry during the year under review 2019.
