Accra, May 1, GNA - Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, last night announced that there would be more direct flights between Ghana and United States from July 2006.

He said there would be about 1,500 seats per week for tourists, making it possible for Ghana to attract more tourists from the USA. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey announced this at a cocktail to welcome more than 200 participants from the United States of America and participants from African countries including Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Gambia, Benin, Nigeria, Togo, Morocco, Egypt and Libya to the 31st Congress of Africa Travel Association.

The African Travel Association (ATA) is a non-profit, non-political and an international travel industry association for Africa which was established in 1957 to promote tourism in Africa.

The ATA, whose membership comprises African government tourism organizations, international airlines, hotels and tour operators, holds annual congresses and trade shows at selected African destinations and the United States of America to provide information and to enable members to share personal experiences.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said the Congress would help to present the country as a "must go" destination using the tenets of the "Joseph Project" to be launched in 2007.

The "Joseph Project" is aimed at facilitating the return of about 30 million Africans in the Diaspora to Ghana. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said the Congress would provide a forum for African Tourism Ministers to meet and deliberate on issues concerning tourism development in Africa.

"We have chosen to host this Congress also as a forerunner to the forthcoming Ghana's 50th independence anniversary next year."