Tamale, Sept. 26, GNA- The Celebration of World Tourist Day (WTD) would have a long-term effect of improving domestic tourism in the country, Mr Benjamin Anane Nsiah, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) has said.

He sad "presently world tourism day celebration is at a stage of product development and will have a long term effect as Ghanaians get informed about the unknown but interesting tourists sites". Mr Nsiah was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during the Ashanti Regional celebration of the World Tourist Day in Kumasi on Saturday.

He said the day is celebrated in Ghana to create awareness on various tourism products in the country.

This year's celebration is focussed on traditional games like "ampe", draught, "oware", catapulting and football. Mr Nsiah said such games would be an eye opener for tour operators to be included in their tour packages.

Explaining why a lot of Ghanaians do not engage on domestic tourism, he said the ability for people to go on tours have a direct link with the income level in the country.

"Tours are discretional, an average Ghanaian will prefer to pay his child's school fees before deciding to enjoy on a tour," he said. Mr Nsiah said the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) was encouraging the formation of tour groups to enable people to have long term planning for tourism.

He said people must be encouraged to adapt tourism as a lifestyle.