The inaugural edition of the Tourism Stakeholders’ Mixer which was held February 12 has set the stage for transformative discussions aimed at reshaping Ghana’s tourism landscape.
Bringing together key players from across the industry, the event served as a catalyst for innovation, strategic collaboration and policy advocacy to drive sustainable tourism development.
Organised by the Ghana Tourism Forum in partnership with the African Tourism Research Network, the event was held under the theme: “Building the Tourism and Hospitality Industry We Want Together.” Designed as a semi-formal gathering, it created an open platform for engaging discourse between tourism professionals, policymakers, and private sector leaders.
Leading the deliberations was Prof. Kwaku Boakye, Vice-Chancellor of Cape Coast Technical University and a distinguished tourism expert. He introduced a framework that underscores the core elements required to reposition Ghana’s tourism industry: attractions, businesses, collaboration, direction (policy), and exposure (access to destination management frameworks). He stressed that the tourism industry cannot be built in isolation and requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders—government, private sector, academia, and local communities—to create a robust and thriving ecosystem.
Key discussions centred on digitalisation, improved service delivery, and stronger brand positioning for Ghana as a premier cultural and heritage tourism hub. Prof. Boakye further emphasized that innovation and investment in human capital are essential for making Ghana a globally competitive tourism destination.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Gomashie, in a solidarity message, reinforced the economic power of tourism, stating that it is not just about beautiful destinations and cultural heritage but an economic powerhouse with the potential to drive sustainable development, create jobs, and uplift communities. She highlighted the government’s “Black Star Experience” initiative, a visionary project aimed at positioning Ghana as the epicenter of Pan-African heritage and cultural renaissance.
Building on the success of the Year of Return and Beyond the Return, this initiative seeks to deepen engagement with the African diaspora through strategic focus areas such as heritage tourism and diaspora engagement, infrastructure and investment, cultural renaissance and storytelling, diaspora economic inclusion, and sustainable and inclusive tourism.
A major highlight of the Tourism Stakeholders’ Mixer was the breakout sessions led by prominent industry experts. Gideon Asare, CEO of Adansi Travels, and Francis Doku, Chief Operations Officer of Digital Plugin Ltd., and Yvonne Ohui McCarthy, Founder, Institute of Customer Service Professionals steered discussions on pressing issues such as key trends, consumer insights, challenges in Ghana’s tourism sector, modern trends in destination management, leveraging technology and AI to improve tourism services, customer care and human resource development, and marketing Ghana as a cultural destination.
The event also saw participation from heavyweights in the tourism and hospitality industry, including Theresa Ayoade, CEO of Charterhouse, Professor Kobby Mensah, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Development Company, Dr. Edward Nyamike Jr., President of the Ghana Hotels Association, and Ekow Sampson, Deputy CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority – Operations. These industry leaders shared their perspectives on the strategic imperative of turning Ghana’s tourism sector into a globally competitive industry.
Beyond discussions, the event provided a valuable opportunity for young tourism enthusiasts to interact with seasoned professionals, gaining insights and mentorship from experts who have shaped the industry. It also fostered an atmosphere of networking and knowledge sharing, bridging the gap between experienced practitioners and emerging players. The event was made possible through the collaboration of Hausa Tours, Benstifi, VoyagesAfriq, Exotic Ecotours, Charterhouse, and Ellaven Consult,Jannice Digital & Co. with additional support from the Conclave Event and Meetings Centre as the host venue
With its success, the Tourism Stakeholders’ Mixer is expected to become a recurring event, continuously serving as a strategic platform for shaping the future of Ghana’s tourism industry. Stakeholders left with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to advancing Ghana’s position as Africa’s ultimate heritage and cultural tourism destination.
