TEMA PORT GETS TOURIST CLUB (PAGE 29)

The Ghana Tourist Board has suggested to operators of tourist facilities to offer discount to tourist clubs in the country to encourage patronage.
The Deputy Executive Director-Operations of the Ghana Tourist Board,Mr Edwin Owusu -Mensah, made the suggestion when he inaugurated the Port of Tema branch of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Tourist Club, last Thursday.
He explained that available statistics indicated that in 2008, there was growth in visitation and revenues which yielded GH¢615,207 from over half a million visits by local tourists.
Mr Owusu-Mensah noted that, this data base was critical to the taking of appropriate decisions on the promotion of local tourism.
He, therefore, called on clubs to participate in the board’s tourism and its related programmes.
Mr Owusu -Mensah said the board had put in place other strategies for the development and promotion of tourism, which included the development and planning of incentive travels and excursions to make domestic tourism appealing and affordable to all categories of Ghanaians.
He said the board had plans of ensuring that tourism was integrated into the curriculum of schools to encourage travel in schools.
Mr Owusu-Mensah said the GTB had currently registered 150 clubs with a membership of almost 12,000 nationwide.
He commended the management of the GPHA for encouraging the staff to form the club.
Mr Owusu-Mensah said as a company which served as the entry point of the country by sea, it was in the right direction to enhance its image through such tourists clubs.
The General Manager in charge of administration at the GPHA, Mr Kwadwo Adansi Bonna, appealed to the Ghana Tourist Board to provide a congenial environment for tourism.
He explained that tourism had become the preserve of the privileged few because of the cost of transport, accommodation and other related leisure involved.
Mr Adansi-Bonna urged the GTB to engage tour operators in a dialogue to provide affordable educational and inter-regional tours which would facilitate travel within the country for residents to appreciate Ghana's tourists attractions and facilities.
He urged members of the club to make every effort to promote the corporate image of the authority.
The President of the GPHA Tourist Club, Kumi Adjei-Sam,said the club was broad-based and democratic because its membership cut across all streams of staff, from management to junior staff.
He said with the rejuvenation of the club, the GPHA stood a chance of making the port a tourist attraction of good standing.
Mr Adjei-Sam expressed optimism that members, who had started speaking foreign languages such as French, Italian and German, were well poised to face the challenges ahead.
The Harbour Master, Captain James Owusu- Koranteng, later swore in the newly elected officers of the club.