The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited, Professor Kobby Mensah, has stated that tourism and hospitality form the largest sector of Ghana’s economy.
Speaking to the media at an event in Accra, Professor Mensah described the tourism sector as “multi-diverse,” highlighting its integration with other essential services such as healthcare, telecommunications, and financial services, all of which are required not only by citizens but also by tourists.
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“If you want to look at how big the sector is, you’d want to look at the needs of the citizens and compare it to the needs of the citizens.
“The citizens needs healthcare, financial products and telecommunications and that is exactly what the tourists needs,” He stated, adding that the livelihood of citizens are a replica of tourism.
He emphasised the need for Ghanaians to recognise the immense economic potential of the tourism and hospitality industry.
“It is the biggest sector in every economy and we don’t seem to grasp it and come to that appreciation and know that it is bigger than what we are offering now,” he stated.
Professor Kobby Mensah also encouraged Ghanaians to embrace the Black Star Experience, a campaign designed to promote Ghana’s cultural identity and tourism appeal, especially during festive seasons.
“We need to upscale our efforts to bring that totality of our services. Financial, telcos, accommodation and travel which are incidental to tourism” he stated.
PAT/EB
