The tourism sector, maintaining the position of fourth highest foreign exchange earner for Ghana after gold, cocoa and oil, contributed an estimated $2.1 billion to the country’s GDP, the GNA reports citing a statement signed by the Minister of Tourism.
But this amount is less than what the sector generated in 2012 and 2013.
Tourism fetched Ghana $2.5 billion in 2012. In that year there were more tourist visits to the country than there were in 2014. According to the Ghana Tourism Authority, 1,263,857 international tourists visited the country during that year.
A report by The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) also says the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Ghana’s GDP in 2013 was GH¢2.6 billion, which is three percent of GDP.
“This is forecast to rise by 9.7 percent to GH¢2.9 billion in 2014,” it adds.
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare was cited by the report as saying international arrivals and receipts grew by 10 per cent, rising from 993,600 in 2013 to an estimated 1,093, 000 in 2014, resulting in an increase from $1.9 billion to an estimated $2.1 billion and its contribution to GDP in 2014 was estimated to 4.7 per cent.
“In terms of employment, a total of 354,000 jobs were created in both formal and informal tourism enterprises and establishments, out of which 101,000 were direct jobs,” she said.
According to the WTTC however, travel and tourism generated 124,500 jobs directly in 2013 and this is forecast to grow by 7.4 percent in 2014 to 134,000. This forecast is higher than the 101,000 direct jobs stated by the Minister.
The report indicates that the figures reflect economic activity generated by hotels, restaurant and leisure services, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services (excluding commuter services), it says.
Meanwhile, on Sunday September 27, 2015, Ghana will join the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) member countries to celebrate World Tourism Day, according to the statement.
By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi