Accra: Mrs. Alisa Osei-Asamoah, Chief Executive Officer of Riali Consult and former President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), has urged Ghana and other African countries to spearhead efforts in transforming global tourism into a sustainable and inclusive industry.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Osei-Asamoah made this call in a statement commemorating World Tourism Day 2025, celebrated under the theme ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.’ She emphasized that the theme aligns with the goals and challenges faced by Ghana and the broader African continent.
In her statement, Mrs. Osei-Asamoah highlighted the need to rethink and redesign the tourism sector to be environmentally responsible and economically inclusive. Reflecting on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, she noted that the crisis exposed vulnerabilities but also opened opportunities for lasting change. She advocated for tourism models that prioritize value over volume to ensure a transformative recovery.
Mrs. Osei-Asamoah pointed to Ghana’s natural attractions, such as the Wli Waterfalls, Kakum National Park, Lake Bosomtwe, and Nzulezu stilt village, as untapped assets for eco-tourism development. She stressed the importance of conservation efforts, sustainable practices, and community engagement to ensure these assets provide long-term benefits.
Drawing inspiration from Rwanda’s model focused on gorilla conservation, she recommended similar strategies for Ghana that would benefit both the environment and local communities. She also highlighted Ghana’s vibrant cultural calendar as a powerful driver of tourism, urging authorities to invest in district-level planning and skills development.
Mrs. Osei-Asamoah criticized the dominance of foreign-owned companies in Africa’s tourism sector and called for policies that encourage local participation. She advocated for local sourcing of resources in hotels and restaurants and the promotion of Made-in-Ghana products through digital and retail platforms.
She further proposed the creation of regional tourism circuits to distribute economic benefits across Ghana and emphasized the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a tool to boost intra-African tourism through simplified visa regimes and infrastructure investments.
Mrs. Osei-Asamoah underscored the importance of innovation and skills development, urging stakeholders to invest in eco-certification and tourism innovation hubs. She praised the role of technology in tourism, citing digital platforms that preserve culture and enhance accessibility.
She concluded by stressing the role of individuals in shaping a sustainable tourism future, calling on Ghanaians and Africans to make sustainable travel choices and hold leaders accountable for tourism policies that prioritize sustainability.
Mrs. Osei-Asamoah closed her statement with a call to action, stating that the future of global tourism will be shaped in Africa, and that Ghana and the continent are ready to lead this transformation.