Having decided to use domestic tourism as a drive to revamping the economy and thereby encouraging the populace to embrace this new concept, and with the injection of funds by government into tourism, the formation of tourism clubs must be part of the drive to achieving this all-important goal.
I have personally been involved with the youth in promoting domestic tourism by setting up tourism clubs in first and seconds cycle institutions. However, I have faced a lot of frustrations at from GES granting us the needed support to achieving this goal.
When the tourism clubs are set up in the schools, their activities and programs will be part of the terms’ academic calendar. We all agree that academics is not the only aspect of learning, children and the youth must have a sense of knowing their history, culture and country. That can only be achieved when they are encouraged to visit the various attractions within the country.
I have been an advocate of this agenda and the school my kids attend have incorporated excursions as part of the term’s activities and the kids have always been excited leaving the school environments and visiting different places. COVID-19 did slow things down, however, with last week’s launch of the domestic tourism program by The MOTCA the GTA, and other stakeholders, the revamp is well on its way.
GES must facilitate this drive by facilitating the process and ensuring the right procedures are followed by schools in implementing this program. Schools that violate the rules must be banned and punished. NGOs and other related groups must be encouraged to do the monitoring and reporting to the GTA and GES what they see on the ground. Once this is well coordinated, achieving the 2million domestic visitors will be easily achievable.
Domestic tourism, also known as local tourism, internal tourism or national tourism, basically involves the movement of tourists within their own country. Many developed economies encourage domestic tourism because; it strengthens the national economy of the country through a process called the Tourism Income Multiplier. Many countries will encourage their nationals to take at least one domestic vacation during the year.
With regards to excursions, the economic benefits to the destination becomes limited because the tourists spend less than a day, and do not make use of any form of accommodation units. Domestic tourism typically leads to development of restaurants, bars, cafes, retail establishments, and other tourism related businesses. Not only are these businesses part of the direct impacts generated by Travel & Tourism, but also they help to improve the quality of life for local residents by expanding the choices available to them in their local community.
The more domestic excursions and tours are undertaken, the more economic activities will be generated, and the more local businesses will make money, the more local people will be employed, the more jobs will be created, the more local Ghanaian owned businesses will be stronger and new businesses will be set up and the more taxes government will receives and the more funds will be available to government to undertake and improve infrastructure and development the country. Other businesses not related to tourism will also benefit.
More than 80% of senior executives in the industry surveyed for WTTC by Oxford Economics responded that local businesses outside of tourism have benefited indirectly from tourism development.
According to the survey, industries that benefit indirectly include agriculture, businesses services, construction, and real estate. This is a real demonstration of the private sector being the engine of growth for every economy.
Anytime we undertake a visit outside of our home environment, the better it is to the economy. Having a sense of patriotism begins by we patronizing any made in Ghana including our tourist attractions. Being patriotic should not be only leap service but our actions must show by being involved.
(…to be continued)
