Accra, March 3, GNA- The Hohoe District Assembly on Friday launched its Tourism Website, (www.hohoetourism.com), aimed at marketing its tourism attractions worldwide.

The Assembly also took a Metropolitan Insurance Policy of between five and 15 million cedis to cover injury and medical expenses of tourists to the district.

Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister for Tourism and the Modernization of the Capital City, who launched the two products in Accra was optimistic that the innovation would revolutionize the tourism sector of the Hohoe District with spill-over into the local economy. He said the concept of community based tourism spiced with an insurance package for tourists and good marketing strategies would propel the district's tourism into great dimensions, making it a bold initiative worthy of emulation by other districts. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey pledged his Ministry's support to the district in harnessing its tourism potentials fully. Mr John Peter Amewu, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Hohoe said tourism revenue from the Wli-Waterfalls alone in 2005 stood at 107 million cedis.

He said the district has applied to be affiliated to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SNV/Netherlands to promote the district's tourism potentials.

Mr Amewu said the Assembly took those initiatives based on the fact that government was financially constrained at meeting the development demands of the district, which has the potential to earn substantial revenue from tourism for development. Mrs Linda Oduro, Chief Executive Officer of Met Insurance commended the Hohoe district for taking such bold initiative based on collaboration between business and community for the development of tourism.

She said 650 billion dollars was realized from tourism worldwide last year which could be outstripped this year hence the need for district assemblies to invest in developing the sector.