Ghana's Tourism Goes Online

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in its effort to place Ghana’s tourism on the global tourism map, and in conformity with modern trends is collaborating with GOOGLE on a project dubbed TOURISM-ONLINE. This project is to ensure that all tourism units and enterprises in Ghana have their own websites. The websites are being designed free of charge for stakeholders.

Speaking to the press about the project, the Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Nana Twum Barima I, said that, it is the right opportunity for the industry and most especially the private sector to take advantage of such noble projects since technology is now essential in all business operations. He added that currently the Authority is very active online through its website www.ghana.travel and present on social media fronts (Facebook, twitter, blog, YouTube, and Google +) all as means of promoting Ghana’s tourism.


In support of the new initiative, Google Ghana Country Lead, Estelle Akofio-Sowah said "We are excited about the opportunity this initiative offers. Tourism is a sector driven by information. Coming online presents an opportunity for hotels, resorts and other businesses within the tourism industry to share their services with the world. Through the information, pictures and videos found online, Ghana can tell the world its story as the "gateway to Africa". The extended impact of this is that as the tourism sector grows, it will also positively impact other sectors in Ghana."

Information Communication and Technology (ICT) in the 21st century plays a very crucial role in helping businesses succeed, and tourism is no exception. Nana Twum Barima I said the visibility of tourism enterprises online will not only attract international tourists to Ghana but would also expand the business potential and increase business audience.


He enumerated some of the benefits stakeholders will derive from the project as including includes choosing their own domain name and getting it registered for free. Other benefits will be free training on managing website, getting site linked to stakeholders’ phone via text, and getting 10 free professional emails, among others.