Local Assemblies must help tourists stay in host communities -GTA

 Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has urged local Assemblies to invest in social amenities at tourist sites to encourage guests to stay in host communities.

He said the lack of accommodation and toilet facilities compelled tourists to live outside host communities, which negatively affected the local economy of such communities and the Assemblies.

Mr Agyeman who was addressing a meeting of stakeholders of the various attraction sites in the Volta Region at Kpando on the planning, development and management of tourist sites said though Volta Region had many tourist sites, they were not being harnessed due to poor location and marketing.

He said GTA and the Forestry Commission were therefore developing the sites with roadmaps and documentation to aid visitors.

Mr Agyeman said a memorandum of understanding would soon be signed between the GTA and all tourist sites managers and owners so all would be brought on board under one umbrella to sanitise the tourism industry and also project the many hidden sites.

He also said tax collection at sites would be digitised to curb the menace of non-tax payment and revenue mismanagement at the sites.

Mr Kudzo Atta, Municipal Chief Executive, North Dayi said the District and Municipal Chief Executives in the Region were ready to partner GTA to market tourist sites in the region.