Accra, 13 May, GNA - Ghana has been nominated by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to host the 30th edition of the World Tourism Day celebrations at an international level. The event, which is slated for September 21 to 27 2009, aims at fostering awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural and economic values. Mrs. Juliana Azumah-Mensah, Minister of Tourism at a media launch in Accra on Wednesday called for intense media collaboration and partnership in marketing Ghana through tourism.

She stated that without media partnership the secrets of Ghana's tourism attraction would not be highlighted and the sector sidelined. Mrs. Azumah-Mensah said the selection of Ghana as the host to the event presented her with a rare opportunity which should be utilized to the full to maximize its benefits.

The celebrations under the theme; "Tourism Celebrating Diversity," seeks to highlight the importance of tourism and globalization and further highlight tourism as a catalyst for peace as well as an activity and experience which builds bridges between cultures. The Tourism Minister said Ghana possessed great wealth in terms of its tourism potentials saying the sector had been classified as the forth major foreign exchange earner and generated about one billion United States dollars in the year 2008 to the nation. She said through tourism about 3,000 jobs had been created either directly or indirectly, with about 600,000 tourists visiting the country each year.

"Tourism has been identified globally as the world's biggest industry and the main growth and trade driver for the developing countries. Also domestic tourism is helping us to redistribute incomes in Ghana," she said.

The Minister said "in 2007 a total amount of 418,000 Ghana cedis was collected as gate fees alone in 25 tourists sites which represented an average of 17,000 Ghana Cedis per site". She however, expressed worry about the fact that the sector had not received the required attention by both government and policy makers over the years, saying the neglect had let to various challenges such as low patronage of certain attraction sights and funding to maintain existing sights.

She also mentioned the current global financial crunch which had negatively affected tourism industry as most tourists had cancelled their tours and hotel reservations due to lack of funds. "We are however hopeful that known to be a remarkably resilient venture, tourism had survived various setbacks including natural and man-made crises and would survive this one," she said. She urged the media to intensify public education on tourism and how they could become tourism friendly and to promote the positive image of Ghana as a tourism destination.

Mr. Charles Osei-Bonsu, Chairman, National Planning Committee, said programmes outlined for the event included pre-event tours dubbed; "Know your country," which would encourage a tour of all the regions, an official opening exhibition, conferences and the launch of the second phase of the Green School project competition. Mrs. Bridget Katsriku, Chief Director, Ministry of Tourism, called on Ghanaians to be continuously friendly and receive the foreigners well to elevate the nation's status and her true cultural identity as the friendliest country on the continent.