The Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations realized its highest ever revenue of GH˘783,241 from domestic tourism last year. This amount was paid by 417,558 Ghanaians who traveled within Ghana as tourists. The Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board, Martin Mireku, announced this at the 8th Southern Zone Tourism Awards at Ada at the weekend.
He explained that out of the total amount generated from domestic tourism nationwide, the four regions, which represented the southern Zone alone, contributed GH˘649,164 which was over 60%. He said the southern zone comprises Greater Accra, Central, Volta and Western Regions were visited by a total of 356,883 domestic tourists in 2007.
Mr. Mireku said this clearly showed the contributions of the southern or coastal zone to the development of internal tourism in the country. He said substantial revenue was a clear indication that domestic tourism was growing in the country to become the foundation on which to build the international tourism industry in Ghana.
He said a visit to any major attraction sites, especially at weekends, revealed that increasingly, Ghanaians are beginning to appreciate and engage in domestic tourism activities. The Executive Director said apart from the economic benefits domestic tourism also facilitated national cohesion and a greater appreciation of the beauty of the country.
