Ghana Tourism Authority records rising trend in domestic tourism

A fact sheet from Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) indicated a rising trend in domestic tourism in 2010.

A summary of 30 tourists sites arrivals and revenue showed that in January, there were 37,340 total arrivals comprising residents and non-residents which attracted a revenue of GH¢118,824.20.

The fact sheet made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday by Mr. Ben Ohene-Ayeh, Director, Corporate Affairs of GTA, said by the end of the year, the total arrivals were 659,325 recording a total of GH¢1,407,444.99.

Mr. Ohene-Ayeh said the figures for 2011 have not been released.

Ghana International tourist arrivals and receipts also indicated a rising trend within a period of six years with 2005 recording 428,533 arrivals as against 931,224 visitors in 2010

Within the same period under review, 836.09 dollars tourists’ receipts was netted by the country as against 1,875.0 dollars in 2010.

Mr. Ohene –Ayeh urged Ghanaians and the hospitality industry to be more responsive towards the needs of tourists to make the country a safe haven for visitors.

He said it is the duty of the citizenry to contribute their quota to good customer service to guests in the country “in order to promote and uphold the good name of Ghana”.

“A first impression speaks a lot about a person and a country .Therefore there is the need for us as Ghanaians and especially those in the hospitality industry to sharpen our customer care to visitors.”

The Corporate Affairs Director noted that the tourism industry is very competitive hence the need for the players to live up to their responsibilities.

To improve on services in the hospitality industry which Mr. Ayeh said sometimes are not too good, the GTA has been organising workshops and seminars in the regions for the operators to update their skills.**