Ghana's Tourism Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has urged managers of tourist attractions across the country to reinvest part of their earnings into improving their facilities. She emphasized that continuous upgrades are necessary to give visitors a reason to return. According to Gomashie, tourism sites must constantly introduce new experiences and improve existing infrastructure to boost repeat visitation and make attractions more appealing to both domestic and international tourists.
Speaking on the development of tourism infrastructure, Gomashie appealed to owners and managers of tourist sites to ensure that part of the revenue generated is ploughed back into their operations. She cited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park as an example, explaining that the facility does not retain all the revenue it generates but receives a percentage of the proceeds. Gomashie stated that she is closely monitoring how that allocation is reinvested to ensure the facility continues to improve.
The Minister stressed that tourism development should not end with the construction or refurbishment of a facility. Attractions must evolve by adding new features that can keep visitors interested. Gomashie gave an example, saying that if a visitor has been to a garden before many years ago, but now they have an additional thing that can excite them, it gives them a reason to come again. This approach is particularly important for domestic tourism, where visitors may have already experienced a destination but could be encouraged to return if there is something fresh to see or do.
Gomashie also highlighted the role of the Ghana Tourism Authority in issuing permits and supervising tourism facilities to ensure that operators comply with the required standards. The Authority plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality of tourist attractions. Beyond the attractions themselves, Gomashie acknowledged that poor road access remains a challenge for several tourist destinations across the country.
According to Gomashie, President John Dramani Mahama has tasked her and the Minister for Roads and Highways with identifying roads leading to tourist sites that require urgent attention. A list of priority roads has already been submitted to the Roads Minister for consideration as part of the second phase of the government’s Big Push agenda. Improving roads leading to tourist attractions would make the sites more accessible and contribute to the broader development of Ghana’s tourism sector.
Gomashie emphasized that the future of Ghanaian tourism depends on the reinvestment of revenue into tourist facilities and infrastructure. The Minister's call to action is aimed at ensuring that Ghana's tourist attractions remain competitive and appealing to visitors. By reinvesting revenue, tourist site managers can improve the overall visitor experience and increase the likelihood of repeat visits.
The Tourism Minister's initiative is part of a broader effort to develop Ghana's tourism sector. By working together with tourist site managers, the government, and other stakeholders, Gomashie aims to promote Ghana as a premier tourist destination. The sector's growth is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy and create new opportunities for local communities.
Key points
- Tourism Minister Dzifa Gomashie urges tourist site managers to reinvest revenue into improving facilities.
- Continuous upgrades are necessary to give visitors a reason to return and make attractions more appealing.
- Improving roads leading to tourist attractions is crucial for the development of Ghana's tourism sector.
