Minister implores actors to promote domestic tourism | Travel / Tourism

The Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, has called on all stakeholders in the tourism sector to collaborate with the ministry to promote national tourism.

According to her, it has become clear that domestic tourism should be promoted since the country cannot depend solely on international tourism, considering the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the local tourism sector.

“This year, we faced the challenge of COVID-19 and all borders were closed. There were no flights coming and international tourists couldn’t come and experience Ghana and this hurt profits in the tourism sector, ”he said.

Ms. Oteng-Gyasi, speaking at the inauguration of the new Odweanoma paragliding field, reiterated the need to sell Ghana first to Ghanaians so that they will love their country and experience it fully.

He then said that Ghanaians would also sell the country to the international community, thus boosting international tourism through domestic tourism for the benefit of the country.

The Ministry of Tourism has upgraded the paragliding field with facilities, including expanded take-off points, a new entry post, a fenced event ground, a paved area, a closed VIP catering area, a repaved viewing division area. and installation of new Polytank brand water tanks. .

The busts of Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, former Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City and his special assistant, Ferdinand Ayim, both of blessed memory, as well as an honor roll for them and others were unveiled in recognition of their contributions to development. and growth of paragliding sports in Kwahu Atibie.

Ms. Oteng-Gyasi pointed out that the improvement of the paragliding sites demonstrates the commitment of the Ministry to the development of paragliding as a tourist activity in the country.

“A strong collaboration between all players is vital to create an enabling environment for other tourist attractions and activities to be identified, packaged and promoted to complement the Paragliding Festival and make Kwahu Ridge a year-round tourist destination,” he said.

He said tourism could have a positive impact on the socio-economic fortunes of the country and called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the expected benefits are realized for the benefit of all, highlighting the need to develop all rural areas through the tourism to create employment reap income for the country.

He expressed his gratitude to the Kwahu Chiefs, the district assemblies and the Kwahu Professional Network for their contributions to boost tourism in the country and assured them that their fair participation in the tourism investment opportunities of the “Beyond Return” project .

Eastern Region Deputy Minister Samuel Ayettey asked communities with identifiable and potential tourist sites to collaborate with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to promote tourism in their localities.

He said that the time had come for the country to commit more resources to develop a more responsible, resilient and friendly tourism, which would foster and promote economic growth by putting all hands on deck.

GTA Executive Director Akwasi Agyeman said the upgraded paragliding site, along with established hotels, would stimulate tourism demand and boost the tourism potential of the Kwahu area and the country as a whole.