Takoradi, July 16, GNA - The West Coast Destination Management Organization (DMO) on Friday launched a website on tourism to market the potential opportunities of the Western Region and promote tourism.

The website, which provides detailed information on tourism in four of the region's six coastal districts, forms part of a sustainable tourism project funded by the Italian government and the UNWTO/ST-EP Programme.

It is being implemented by Ricerca Cooperazione, a Netherlands Development Organization and the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB).

Launching the website, Madam Betty Busumtwi-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister, said 263,000 Euros had been budgeted for the project which aims at creating business linkages between local producers and the tourism sector in Ghana's West Coast.

In addition, she said, the Italian Government had released 125,000 Euros for the third phase of the project after the completion of the first and second phases.

Madam Busumtwi-Sam said as tourism promoted socio-economic development of a nation, investors should take advantage of the natural site attractions like the beaches, virgin forests and the ecology to venture into tourism business in the region.

This would not only help create jobs for the youth but generate revenue for development of the area for progress.

In this regard, the Deputy Minister appealed to the Italian government to consider assisting the city of Sekondi to enter into a sister city relationship with one of the Italian cities to enhance business opportunities.

She also appealed to the Italian government through Ricerca Cooperazione to develop the Sekondi Easel Lagoon into a tourist site.

Mr Sampson Donkor, Acting Deputy Executive Director in charge of Finance and Administration of the Ghana Tourist Board, said plans were underway to ensure that the Western Region became the preferred tourism destination by 2020.

He said this would be characterized by well coordinated development, strong and effective leadership and a community that understood and valued tourism.

Mr Donkor said the region would offer a well balanced package of quality service and attractions focused on quality beach tourism, nature and heritage that would attract both local and international tourists.

Tourist attractions in the region include the Nzulezo settlement, Boako Waterfalls and beaches at Busua, Butre, Axim, Half Assini, Takoradi and Beyin.