Leveraging the Transformative Economic Role of Tourism: Taking Ghana to the next level as a key visitor destination in Africa
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLANS
Ghana first produced a 15 year Tourism Development Plan (1975-1990) with financial support and technical assistance from the Danish government. Subsequently, in 1993 with financial assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and technical assistance from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) another 15 year Tourism Development Plan for the period 1996-2010 was produced. Currently, a successor 15 year National Tourism Development Plan 2013-2027 developed with financial and technical assistance from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is in operation.
The 1996-2010 Tourism Development Plan ushered in the successful passage of the new Tourism Law enshrinedin the Tourism Act 817 of 2011 and the transformation of the Ghana Tourism Board into the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA). The current 2013-2027 National Tourism Development Plan which is a third of the way into its 15 year lifespan, has set out some far-reaching recommendations. These carefully thought out recommendations, if implemented can catapult Ghana up the league of major ourist destinations.
Outside of these afore-mentioned Tourism Development Plans, there has been a plethora of Reports, Diagnostic Studies and Research Findings into the Tourism Sector. The problem has never been to do with a lack of ideas, but rather transformative leadership to drive the agenda or plans into reality. The multifarious recommendations of the 2013-2027 under the following broad headings are a case in point!
• Recommendations on policy and regulatory framework.
• Recommendations on policy and regulatory framework.
• Recommendations onthe Institutional framework and the role of institutions in implementing the master.
• Recommendations on tourism branding.
• Recommendations on tourism branding.
• Recommendations on improving the statistical system for tourism in Ghana.
• Recommendations on tourism human resource development.
• Recommendationson enhancing community involvement in the tourism sector and socio-cultural considerations.
• General Recommendations- Developing tourism signage, viewpoints and campsites in Ghana.