The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has unveiled an exciting array of activities for September, officially designated as “Tourism Month.” This initiative is aimed at promoting and encouraging the patronage of various tourism activities across the country, thereby underscoring the significance of domestic tourism.
The calendar of events for Tourism Month includes a diverse range of cultural and arts festivals, expos, bazaars, exhibitions, adventure and sporting events. Additionally, there will be musical concerts, pageants, tours, and cruises, providing something for every taste and interest.
A key highlight of Tourism Month is the celebration of World Tourism Day (WTD) on 27th September. This year, the national WTD commemorations will be held in Sekondi-Takoradi, located in the Western Region, featuring a myriad of events stretching from 26th September to the end of the month. The celebrations will culminate with a Choral Festival in Accra.
During the launch event, Deputy CEO of the GTA – General Services, Ben Anane Nsiah, explained that the designation of September as Tourism Month forms part of the Authority’s deliberate efforts to promote tourism throughout the year.
He emphasised that the ultimate goal is to establish tourism as a year-round activity, ensuring continuous patronage of tourism-related businesses and positioning Ghana as a competitive tourist destination. “Eventually, we aspire for tourism to become a lifestyle choice for our people,” he added.
The launch event was attended by several high-profile industry stakeholders who expressed their support for the Tourism Month initiative, urging all Ghanaians to get involved and contribute to its success.
Seth Adjei Baah, Chairman of the GTA Board, highlighted the importance of Tourism Month in creating wealth among tourism businesses and the people who run them. He noted that the ripple effect of this initiative is expected to stimulate Ghana’s economy through the power of tourism.
Member of Parliament for the Mpraeso Constituency, Davies Opoku Ansah, also commended the GTA for this initiative, stating his full endorsement of Tourism Month. The MP who is also a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism noted that since its inception a few years ago, Tourism Month has successfully driven tourists to the Kwahu area beyond the Easter period, particularly during the annual Kwahu Paragliding Festival. With ‘Yenko Kwahu’—a key activity during Tourism Month—a substantial number of tourists have been able to explore the area’s rich tourism offerings.
Betty Kobi, Marketing Director of the GTA, walked the gathering through the comprehensive list of planned activities and events, urging everyone to come on board and make Tourism Month a memorable and successful celebration.
WTD 2024 will be held under the theme, “Tourism and Peace.”
