1.Why are we celebrating UN WORLD TOURISM DAY?

The purpose of this day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the
international community and to demonstrate how it will affects social, cultural,
political and economic values worldwide.
2. What is the theme for this YEAR’S UN WORLD TOURISM DAY CELEBRATION and
why?
The theme is Tourism and Rural Development. This year is an opportunity to
promote the potential of tourism to create jobs and opportunities. It can also
advance inclusion and highlight the unique role tourism can play in preserving and
promoting natural and cultural heritage and curbing urban migration.
3. Can you make listeners aware of any tourism project in your Region that has
significantly impacted on the lives of people in its catchment area?
Kintampo waterfalls in BONO EAST REGION has generated a lot of employment
for the youths in the area and this has helped to reduce the rate of
unemployment in the area. Also, it has generated a lot of income for the
community and the tourist attraction because tourists who comes to visit the
attraction purchase goods and this helps them to get money.
4. What therefore is the relationship between tourism and rural development?
Tourism has a positive relationship with rural development. The gains of the
community where a popular tourist destination is domiciled are endless. Some of
these benefits are employment opportunities, increased standard of living,
opportunity to preserve culture, improved infrastructure and many more. In rural
communities where there are tourist sites, one of the greatest benefits the
community enjoy is the creation of employment which could be skilled or
unskilled. Food vendors, souvenir sellers and other retailers will naturally spring
up within the community because they are aware that their services will be
needed by the tourists. People with little or no education and skills find
themselves employed as a result of the tourist destination which goes a long way
to reduce social vices like armed robbery. In addition, standard of living of the
community will be raised. This is because majority of the people will be employed
and there would be nothing like “ Capital Flight" as the tourists would be
spending in the community and of course the money will be needed in the
community for development.
5. What expected impact will the tourism regulations, 2019 legislative instrument
(LI 2393) have on rural development?
The (LI2393) act was instituted to help regulate the tourists attraction sites in
Ghana. The purpose of it is to give additional power to the regulators. The
(LI2393) has in it what the tourists attraction sites should do and standards they
should conform. Knowing what they should do, the act empowers further
empowers the regulators to enforce it.
6. To what extent has COVID 19 affected the tourism industry in your Region and
how the Ghana Tourism Authority is helping the industry players come out of the
doldrums stronger than before?
Due to COVID 19 in the country all tourist facilities in the country are closed up
temporary for the mean time and this has raised a lot of unemployment in my
Region because tourists are not coming to visit the attractions due to COVID 19.
So there is no money to use in paying the workers. The Ghana Tourism Authority
is helping the industry players through encouragement, that's assuring them that
everything is going to be fine.
7. After successfully celebrating “THE YEAR OF RETURN” last year, what should
the public expect from the tourism authority?
“BEYOND THE YEAR OF RETURN” to help tourist trace their roots and ancestors,
to learn and know the culture. This will help tourists to explore more than the
“YEAR OF RETURN” and also go beyond the coastal areas to explore Ghana.
8. Can you tell us the activities lined up by the 2020 UN WORLD TOURISM DAY
CELEBRATION,@ where and when?
The programme would take place between 22nd to 27th September,2020, in
Bogoso and Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana and the international one
will take place at ( Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile) by Mercosur
Member State. The activities is as follows
Virtual symposium via zoom - 22nd September,2020
Health walk - 26th September,2020
Tree planting - 26th September,2020
Grand Durbar and Photo exhibition - 27th September,2020, foyer, Takoradi Mall
9. What makes this YEAR’S WORLD TOURISM DAY CELEBRATION different?
This year's World Tourism Day Celebrations is different because over the years,
the day is celebrated by one country but this year is the commemoration is
observed by Mercosur member states that’s Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay
and Plus Chile. This is to reflect the current need for international solidarity and
cooperation which is especially true for tourism, that’s working together towards
a common goal.
10. How has the country benefited from UN WORLD TOURISM DAY
CELEBRATIONS?
The UN World Tourism Day Celebrations has brought about education to the
public. During the annual celebration of the UN World Tourism Day, officials of
the Ghana Tourism Authority educate the publics on the importance of tourism to
the nation through radio programmes and the organisation of symposiums. Also,
during the UN World Tourism Day celebrations, as stated on the activities lined up
for the this years celebrations, The Ghana Tourism Authority organizes a tree
planting exercise which helps promote afforestation.