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Tourism ambassador Abeiku Santana has made a call for hotel receptionists to be educated on the importance of tourism and how their job can enhance tourism.

Abeiku said receptionists are one of the first people tourists come across when they enter into a country so there is therefore the need for them to be knowledgeable tourism and how it can grow our economy.  

According Abeiku, "Ghana, formerly known as the Gold Coast is a richly endowed country in sub-Saharan Africa blessed with dozens of historical monuments and tourist sites and hotel receiptionists can help by telling visitors about 

No wonder this West African nation has increasingly become a first point destination for most tourists around the world who seek to either get away from the stress of work, spend time with friends and family or change their natural environments.

Tourists include but are not limited to Europeans, Americans, Latinos and other Africans. Ghana’s year-round tropical warm climate along with its wildlife; exotic waterfalls such as Kintampo waterfalls as well as the largest waterfall in West Africa, the Tagbo Falls; Ghana’s coastal palm-lined sandy beaches; caves; mountains; meteorite impact crater and lakes such as Lake Bosumtwi make Ghana the place to be".

Ghana is also home to the largest lake in the world by surface area – the Lake Volta, dozens of castles and forts, nature reserves and national parks.

Tourism is a significant contributor to economic growth and development in Ghana. It is a major source of foreign exchange, employment and government revenues.

Abeiku gave some facts about tourism in Ghana:

In 2013, the direct contribution of the Travel & Tour industry to Ghana’s GDP was US$1.34 billion, representing 2.8% of GDP. The number of jobs directly supported by tourism was 124,000 and Travel & Tour investment amounted to US$303 million in 2013.

Ghana’s tourism industry development indicators have increased over the years. International tourist receipts increased from US$970 million in 2008 to US$1,068 in 2013. The number of annual international visitors to Ghana is now roughly 950,000 and is expected to grow to 1.5 million by 2024.

Abeiku Santana made this CALL this morning on Viasat 1 Morning Show when he went for an interview with Hon. Minister for Tourism , Culture and Creative Arts - Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare  to promote Ghana Carnival , which is happening on 1st to 3rd July 2016.