In helping to strengthen the culture of tourism within the domestic setting, the Minister-designate for Tourism, Hon. Egyapa Mercer engaged the leadership of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) on Tuesday 23rd April 2024 at the Ministry.
TOUGHA exists to support Tour Operators in harnessing the potential in the industry and thereby transform and contribute to the tourism industry by serving as a liaison between Tour Operators in Ghana, the Ghana Tourism Authority, and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
While engaging the delegation, the President of the Union, Mrs. Alisa Osei-Asamoah said, that the Union has successfully partnered with the Ghana Tourism Authority on a domestic tourism promotion initiative, which rides on the back of the Ghana Tourism Campaign launched by His Excellency the President in 2022. Among others, she iterated the need for more robust local content measures to protect local tour operators, and the need to improve the state of access roads to key tourist sites in Ghana. This she said will help increase reach and patronage. She also advocated for considerations to be made for events outside Accra during the December festivities in Ghana.
Hon. Egyapa Mercer underscored that although there is not much time left, he is committed to helping to improve conditions in the sector. He also expressed his intentions to engage the Ministry of Education in helping to promote domestic tourism among students in second-cycle institutions, to inculcate in them the culture of tourism at a very early stage, and expressed his profound gratitude for their visit.
