Tourism experts meet in Accra

Accra, Sept. 18, GNA - Tourism experts and think tanks would meet in Accra, from September 22- September 27, to mark World Tourism Day. Mr Taleb Rifai, Interim Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is expected to lead a delegation to share ideas on the theme: "Tourism Celebrating Diversity."

A release issued by the Ghana Tourists Board (GTB) said issues to be discussed include diversity, globalisation and tourism, which would be led by Mr. Tidjani Hadad, Member of UNWTO strategic group and former Minister of Tourism in Tunisia.

Other dignitaries attending this year's tourism day celebration include Mr. Mohamoud Gheddi, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia who would speak on the t opic: "Cultural and Env ironmental Diversity and Tourism."

Ghana's Minister of Tourism, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah would speak on the topic: "Tourism - Strengthening The Ties Between Nations." The day is expected to look at the uniqueness of the different cultures of the world and how they could be collaborated to create unity.

International media organisations from Germany, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, France, United States, Canada, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Italy and South Africa would be in Ghana to cover the event. As part of the celebrations, there would be a global online photo competition with the aim of looking at tourism as a vehicle that bridges cultures, intensifies understanding and fosters peace.

The online photo competition would also be an opportunity for people around the world to share their customs to capture how cultural diversity enriches the lives of people and unites people.

Other activities to mark the event include a press trip, tourism exhibition, tourism conferences on the theme, musical concert, gastronomy fair, tour of Tetteh Quarshie's Cocoa farm; quiz competition and a communication workshop on the theme.