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Tourism sector booms in spite of election petition

The country continued to record high tourist arrivals in the country for the year, in spite of a protracted election petition that challenged the legitimacy of the current President.
There were fears that the petition, which was dismissed on August 29, could destabilise the country which has enjoyed political stability since it returned to constitutional rule in 1992.

According to the Ghana Tourist Authority (GTA), provisional figures of tourist arrivals for the first eight months of the year indicate about 15 per cent increase over the figure for the same period last year.

Considering that about 1.09 million arrivals were recorded by the end of August last year, a 15 per cent increase would translate to about 1.25 million arrivals for the first eight months this year.

The feat pushes the country closer to achieving its target of raking in more than US$2 billion from tourism for the year. The target is likely to be met by the end of October 2013, the tourism authority officials told the GRAPHIC BUSINESS.

Officials at the GTA attribute the sterling performance to activities such as the Panafest and Emancipation day held at the end of July and the first week in August 2013 in the Central Regional capital, Cape Coast.

The region is considered “The Heartbeat of Ghana’s Tourism” as it boasts of many tourist attractions and heritage such as forts and castles, a national park and festivals depicting rich culture.

Ghana was rated as one of the most visited places on earth in 2011. In January, THE NEW YORK TIMES also listed Accra as one of the best destinations in the world for business and pleasure for 2013.

Accra came fourth out of the 46 places the influential newspaper recommended that its readers visit this year.

Commenting on the positive marketing news about the country, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, Mr Samson Donkor, said the news and ratings buoyed tourist arrivals, with tourists from places such as Nigeria, China and Europe remaining strong.

He opined that the peaceful democratic rule the country had exercised had given tourists some confidence in the country and resorting to the constitutional approach to resolve election differences was in itself a plus for tourist attraction, especially for repeat visitors.

“Investment in the tourism sector was not even affected. We have received bids from Turkey, Nigeria, and Greece to invest in the sector,” Mr Donkor said, adding that this year, there were more arrivals from Nigeria, Europe, Japan and China.

The evidence becomes clearer when gauged from the aviation industry which is growing fast. Some international carriers have announced increases in scheduled flights and enhanced services.

KLM has replaced its aircraft for a new one and British Airways, which has been operating into the country for over 75 years, has also announced a 10 times a week flight schedule on the Accra-London Heathrow route.

In addition, all major airlines fly on a  daily basis from Accra, compared with the less frequency flights of the past, with new airlines operating into Ghana. Most of the airlines are treating their customers with enhanced services, while some inefficient ones are packing out of the country.

By Samuel Doe Ablordeppey/Daily Graphic/Ghana

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