By: Austin Agyenim Boateng
Statistics from the Ghana Tourism Authority, GTA indicates that there was a decline in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the tourism sector in Bono, Bono East and the Ahafo Regions between 2019 and 2020 due to COVID-19.
According to the Bono Regional Director of GTA, Joseph Appiagyei who also oversees the Bono East and Ahafo regions, there has been a decline of 51% of the regions GDP growth from the two (2) iconic sites, Kintampo Water Falls and Boabeng Fiama Monkey Sanctuary.
Mr. Appiagyei disclosed this in an interview with GBC News in Sunyani on the occasion of World Tourism Day.
Today 27th September is World Tourism Day. A day set aside to educate the public on the importance of tourism sites in Ghana and around the world. The International event is being celebrated in Cote d’Ivoire.
In Ghana, the national event is scheduled at Hohoe in the Volta region on the theme “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”.
In an interview with the GBC, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Director for the Ghana Tourism Authority, Joseph Appiagyei said, COVID-19 negatively affected their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020.
According to him, they recorded ₵286,924 in 2019, the Year of Return, from 2 Iconic sites; Kintampo Water Falls and Boabeng Fiama Monkey Sanctuary as against ₵122,643, the same period in 2020.
To revive the region’s GDP, Mr. Appiagyei said, the Ghana Tourism Authority has introduced a Domestic Tourism drive.
He called on Ghanaians to embark on tours to tourist attractions in the country to release stress and support the Domestic Tourism drive.
Mr. Appiagyei also called on operators to pay their tourism levies to help revamp the industry and also adhere to all the COVID-19 safety protocols.