Tourism sector continues to yields substantial revenue to the nation

Accra, June 23, GNA - Available Statistics from the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) have revealed that revenue generated by the tourism sector in 2009 was 1,615.2 million dollars, compared to 1,403.1 million dollars obtained in 2008. The statistics also indicate that 802,779 tourists arrived in the country as at the end of 2009, compared to 698,069 in 2008.

The number of tourists visiting the country for business in 2009 sto od at 184,639, representing 23 per cent. Out of the number, 72,250 representing nine per cent came to attend conferences and meetings; 160,556 tourists representing 19 per cent came mainly for holid ay, while 80,278 representing 10 per cent were on transit. These statistics point to a steady increase in the number of foreign ers who visit Ghana and the

growing significance of the tourism industry to the national economy. Mrs. Doris Yamoah, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Touri sm, told the Ghana News

Agency in Accra on Wednesday that in view of the prevailing trend, the Ministry in partnership with

the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre launched the International Tourism Investment Forum last month with the aim of boosting domestic and international tourism in the country. She added that the Forum would review the institutional structures of tourism, including the private and public sector organisations, and coordinate its mechanisms, tourism legislation and regulations, and tourism manpower planning and development. Mrs. Yamoah noted that tourism had become multifaceted and suggested that conscious efforts be made to set up a ministerial committee that would help revamp the tourism sector. She said the sector needed to re-package its side attractions that would help develop and enhance the internal infrastructure to support the tourism industry. Mrs. Yamoah said the sector should be adequately resourced to run adverts in both the domestic and international media to create awareness and to attract more tourists to invest in the country. She stressed the need for the provision of good roads to the tourist sites nationwide for easy access.