We need dedicated hospitality training institutes to develop tourism – Weizo

By
Samuel Akumatey, GNA

Ho, June 20, GNA – Mr Ikechi Uko, Organiser of
Weizo, a West African tour initiative, has said the unavailability of dedicated
hospitality training institutes in the country is affecting the development of
tourism.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency during a
tour of the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary in the Afadjato South District of the
Volta Region as part of activities under the fourth edition of Weizo, he said
tourists place value on the hospitality service, thus such training must help
raise the standards of both formal and informal workers in the industry.

Mr Uko said tour guides, hotel attendants and
other players ought to be well oriented to deal with the myriad of travel
tourists.

He commended government for its efforts at
reviving tourism in the country adding that through the adaptation of global
standards, tourism in the African sub-region could receive significant
patronage.

Mr Uko said facilities such as wash rooms must
be up to standard and well distributed, whiles sign posts and advertisements
need to be strategically placed to assist tourists locate facilities.

He said Ghanaians by nature exhibited a strong
sense of hospitality and called on stakeholders to help promote culture tourism
towards marketing our rich heritage.

He said the mountainous terrain of the Volta
and other highland regions were suitable for the introduction of cable cars,
zip lines and All-Terrain Vehicles to help improve access adding that
opportunities abound for paragliding, and hiking.

This year’s Weizo toured the Volta and Eastern
Regions for the first time and the group which is made up of 70 journalists,
travel writers, bloggers and tour guides from eight West African countries
including Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Benin, Togo, and Guinea, also visited the
Shai Hills Game reserve, and the Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam in the Eastern
Region.

Weizo concept which is being organised in
collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority is in line with the latter’s
“Eat, Feel, See and Wear Ghana” campaign to enable travel journalists promote
tourism in the West African sub region.

GNA

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