Hohoe, Aug 25, GNA - Hohoe District has been admitted formally as an affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) by the Executive Council of the Organization at its 78th Session at Quito, Ecuador.

In a release posted at the UNWTO website and signed by Ms Victoria Marcos, Chief Executive Officer in-charge of Affiliate Membership said the district, in close collaboration with UNWTO, would foster financing and investments in tourism.

The statement said by its current assessment, the number of visitors to Africa was projected to rise to 47 million people in 2010 and to 77 million people in 2020.

Mr John Peter Amewu, the District Chief Executive, said this would energise the tourism industry in the area and make it the most preferred destination.

He said it was an avenue to showcase and market the district's tourism potentials on the international tourism map, WTO's website and through tourism seminars and workshops. Mr Joseph Amenorwode, the Member of Parliament for Hohoe North, described the WTO placement as "an icing on a cake" and urged the people to collectively perceive tourism as the hen that laid the golden eggs to fully reap its benefits.