Stakeholders urged to improve tourism sector

Accra, Feb. 22, GNA - Stakeholders in the tourism industry have been urged to update themselves with the current trend of events in developed countries to serve as a guide in the improvement of the sector.

"We have such an important industry in our hands and must do all in our power to promote the sector in order to invite the kind of tourists who would help improve the economy," Mr Mike Gizo, Minister of Tourism said on Tuesday.

Mr Gizo was receiving a report on a trip made to the UK and France by stakeholders who participated in the Food, Fashion and Flower Extravaganza in the two countries.

The Fair dubbed "From Ghana with Love", was organised by FLAIR Catering Services Limited and sponsored by Ghana Airways, Unilever and Empretec Foundation.

It was to afford the 10-member delegation an opportunity to raise funds to build FLAIR Vocation Training Institute, promote Ghana as a tourism destination and make recommendations on how exposure of personnel in the industry could improve the quality of tourism in Ghana.

Mr Gizo expressed regret that the professionalism in the sector is not up to international standard saying a lot remains to be done to catch up with the advanced world.

He said the ministry would liase with the private sector to organise training programmes abroad for personnel in the hospitality industry so as to enable them to learn from other countries what tourism is all about.

The Minister advised the group to share their experiences with their colleagues who could not participate so that collectively, the sector as well as the economy would be enhanced.

Mrs Barbara Bentsi-Enchill, Managing Director of FLAIR Catering said the trip served as an eye opener for stakeholders in tourism development. She expressed the hope that the programme, given the required sponsorship, could be organised annually.

Ms Elizabeth Turkson, Head of Catering and Hotel Management, Accra Polytechnic, said the visit to the HCIMA in London, the professional body for members of the hospitality industry, showed facilities available for effective quality training.

Places the delegation visited included the John Hold'S Food, an airline catering facility, the Medieval Castles in Paris and Brighton, a popular sea resort in London.