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Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr
The President of the Ghana Hotel Association (GHA), Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr, urged the government to make security and basic infrastructure such as good road networks a priority to attract more of tourists in the country this year.
With this year dubbed 'Year of Return', to mark 400 years of slave trading, he said the hospitality sector should receive momentum, hence the need for the government to adequately prepare itself to welcome tourists to the country.
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"Tourism has many facets. There are visa problems on arrival, among others. However, the key things we need to consider are safety, sanitation, health and bad roads, "he told GRAPHIC BUSINESS on January 25, 2019.
He urged the relevant ministries to address the gaps in sectors to strengthen tourism, one of the main contributors to the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
Mr. Ackah-Nyamike Jnr stated that the badociation (as tourism stakeholders) had been invited to a series of meetings and the launch of the Year of Return in January and had since taken measures to develop strategies to ensure the smooth running of operations ensure a good stay for tourists.
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Preparations
He added that the badociation was eager to organize training, education and awareness sessions for its members in anticipation of the possible influx of tourist visits this year.
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"We are developing strategies to deliver basic training sessions, as well as education and awareness activities," he said.
He also reiterated the commitment of the Ghana Tourism Authority to badist the badociation by providing information and marketing support to stimulate the hotel sector, particularly during the period of the Year of return.
"The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has promised to provide information and marketing support," said Dr. Ackah-Nyamike Jnr.
Security measures
Ackah-Nyamike lamented the consequences of recent security threats to the country in tourism, citing the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein Suale and several kidnappings in Takoradi.
He said these threats caused panic and fear and could deter tourists.
He urged security agencies to deal with the emergency chancre that was swarming with urgency.
standards
He badured that the badociation would ensure that quality standards are strictly adhered to in order to create a pleasant environment for tourists.
Return year
President Akufo Addo said that 2019 would be the year back in Ghana of all people of African descent living in the diaspora.
Nicknamed "Year of Return, Ghana 2019", the statement was made at a ceremony at the United States National Press Club in Washington DC.
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first slave ship from Africa to America at the time of the transatlantic trade in 1619.
activities
A long list of activities has been drawn up to celebrate the year of return.
These include the African Culture and Wellness Festival, Black History Month, Back2Africa Festival, Jamaica-Ghana Festival (JaGhafest) and the Heritage Paragliding Festival.
This historic leg will see tourists from all over the world flock to tourist sites for sightseeing.
Cable News Network (CNN) has already ranked Cape Coast Castle fourth on a list of tourist sites around the world that deserve to be visited this year.
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