Maiden Tourism Stakeholders’ Mixer Held in Accra

Accra: The Ghana Tourism Forum in partnership with the African Tourism Research Network has organised the maiden edition of the Tourism Stakeholders' Mixer to discuss critical issues affecting Ghana's tourism sector. The 'mixer' was aimed at bringing together stakeholders, public, private sector and academia, in the tourism and hospitality fields to take a deep dive into how they could build a more engaged and sustainable tourism and hospitality industry.According to Ghana News Agency, the event was expected to come out with an actionable strategy for industry challenges, policy recommendations for sustainable growth, new collaborative projects and initiatives, capacity building and knowledge sharing, and greater awareness of sustainability and community-focused tourism. It was also to create a platform for open dialogue, fostering collaboration among tourism professionals, policymakers, and private sector leaders.Prof. Kwaku Boakye, Vice-Chancellor of Cape Coast Technical University and Professor of Tour ism, emphasised the need for a forward-thinking approach in repositioning Ghana's tourism industry. He highlighted tourism as a powerful tool for economic transformation and empowerment and stressed the importance of embracing innovation, investing in human capital, and strengthening marketing efforts to make Ghana a competitive tourism destination.Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, noted that tourism was an economic powerhouse with the potential to drive sustainable development, create jobs, and uplift communities. She emphasized the collaboration between the government, private sector, communities, and development partners to fully harness Ghana's tourism potential. The government is committed to creating an enabling environment for tourism to thrive, with policies aimed at easing visa acquisition, improving security at tourist sites, and expanding the tourism market through international partnerships.Mrs Theresa Ayoade, Chief Executive Officer of Charter House Production, highlighted her company's contributions to the tourism ecosystem through events celebrating culture, talents, and creativity. She called for stronger collaborations, innovations, and strategic policies for long-term impact in the tourism sector.The theme for the mixer was 'Building the tourism and hospitality industry we want together'. It explored key trends, consumer insights, challenges in Ghana's tourism sector, modern trends in destination management, leveraging technology and AI to improve tourism services, customer care, and human resource development, as well as marketing Ghana as a cultural destination.The Tourism Stakeholders' Mixer is expected to become a regular event, serving as a strategic platform for fostering innovation, partnerships, and policy advocacy to drive Ghana's tourism agenda forward.