Govt projects $5 billion tourism revenue this year – Deputy Minister

The government has reiterated its ambition to raise revenue in the tourism industry to $ 5 billion annually.

In 2019, the tourism industry made $ 3.3 billion, however, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it dropped to an average earning of $1 billion in 2020. The government is projecting to rake in more revenue in tourism, this time around.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, disclosed this at a conference on Tourism, COVID-19 and the Environment organized by Earth Right Ghana, in partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority in Accra.

Mr. Okraku Mantey charged the tourism institutions, including hotels and Ghanaians in general, to strictly adhere to the laid down COVID-19 safety protocols, emphasizing that travel restrictions remain valid. The minister, on behalf of the government, assured Ghanaians that COVID-19 will be over if everyone contributes to efforts at combating the pandemic.

“Travel restrictions remain valid. I am here to reiterate that the contribution of this sector cannot be underestimated and the ministry is ambitious to raise USD 5 billion per annum. I charge the hospitality industry and the various tourist institutions to ensure the safety protocols are observed,” he stated.

Director, Product Development and Investment, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ben Anane Nsiah, highlighted measures put in place to revamp the tourism and hospitality industry.

“The Tourism Authority did a lot and is still doing what is needed during the emergence of the COVID-19 to promote tourism. It created platforms for private-public partnerships emphasizing digitization to boost businesses,’’ he indicated.

Vice President, Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), Kwesi Eyison, advised the hospitality industry to be mindful of their activities in order to respect the culture, preserve and sustain the environment in the midst of the pandemic.