 TOURISM |
Tourism is the third largest contributor of foreign exchange after gold and cocoa and is projected to become the second biggest by the year 2000.
The industry contributes about 3.5 per cent of the GDP, which is projected to increase to eight per cent by the year 2000. "We have a 15-year Tourism Development Plan which seeks to develop the projected needs of the industry in a sustainable manner for both present and future use. This will ensure that the destination meets the challenges of this dynamic industry and stays focused on providing quality tourism for special market interest. Our growth is envisaged to be in a systematic order so as not to outstrip our management capabilities",
said Mrs. Doreen Owusu-Fianko, the Chief Executive of the Ghana Tourist Board. The industry presently generates more than 305 million dollars and employs around 50 000 people with 300 000 visitors.
Ghana generally is covered with a wide range of cultural heritage and natural endowment sites which include world heritage monuments of Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, the arts, various festivals, craft villages of all the ten regions of the country, the most important being Ashanti and Central regions. Concentration however had been on the forts and castles, which have seen a sudden boom in foreign arrivals into the country.
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Another strong point for attracting tourists to the country is safety and accommodation. Mrs. Owusu-Fianko said the Industry is the safest as compared to destinations in South Africa, East Africa and even developed destinations such as Florida. "Even though our attractions may not be as developed as those in our competitor destinations, peace, safety, security and stability has guaranteed the persistent inflow of tourists in the past", she said.
Increasingly, there has been a tremendous improvement in hotel accommodation in the country. Thanks to improved incentives granted by the government, Ghana is expected to increase the present 12 000 rooms to 30 000 rooms by 2001.
For instance, a corporate tax rebate of 25 per cent is given for facilities sited in Accra, and all others outside the capital attract 50 per cent rebate. This includes a waiver of custom duty on items meant for the tourism facilities.
Mrs. Owusu-Fianko, says that by the end of the year, the La Palm Royal Deluxe Hotel will be ready to offer about 250 rooms. "We are expecting the Inter-Continental to be here, Sheraton is also coming. By the year 2001 we should boast of a total of four 5 star accommodation with over nearly 3000 rooms." |
