Accra (Greater Accra) 4th May ?99

Africa's immense tourism resources remain untapped, thus its benefit from the industry is poor, Mr Francesco Frangialli, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), said in Accra on Monday.

Out of 625 million global tourist arrivals last year, Africa had only 125 million, accounting for 9.6 billion dollars out of the global profits of 455 billion dollars.

"Within the same period ECOWAS recorded about 25 million arrivals with 266 million dollars of profits."

Mr Frangialli made the remark at the opening of the joint 33rd WTO Commission for Africa (CAF) meeting, 24th Africa Travel Association (ATA) annual conference and the convocation of African Ministers of Tourism in Accra.

The five-day meeting is the first to be held jointly by the two organisations and the first in Ghana and Africa. Over 1,500 officials, including 27 African ministers, are attending.

Mr Frangialli said Africa has great tourism potentials that warrant the commitment of their governments to its development.

He praised the Ghana government for its positive political will for the development of tourism, saying this encourages WTO to support her effort.

Mr Frangialli pledged WTO's support to Africa to ensure that the continent realises the full benefits of its tourism potential.

Mr Mike Gizo, Minister of Tourism, stressed the need for African countries to form coalitions to fully utilise the resources.

Africa's tourism potential makes it qualify for financial support from donor agencies, he said adding, "it is a viable venture to invest in Africa's tourism."