Ghana And Gambia To Partner In Tourism Development

The Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), an umbrella organisation for about 14 trade associations in the tourism industry, yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its Gambian counterpart to partner and share experiences in tourism development.

The two associations under the agreement would hold joint programmes to promote tourism products in the two countries while recommending their clients to visit key places in both countries.

Mrs Stella Appenteng, President of the Ghana Tourism Federation, said both countries stood to benefit by engaging in joint marketing programmes with the possibility of participating in international trade fairs.

She was speaking at a stakeholders' meeting with a 15-member Gambian delegation who are in the country for a familiarisation tour 'We will have the opportunity to do joint literature about various tourism sites in both countries like brochures, flyers and billboards.'

Mrs Appenteng said the Gambian delegation's visit followed a recent visit by the Ghanaian counterparts in the tourism sector to learn the Gambian experience especially in the use of beaches to attract European tourists to their country.

The Gambian group, who will be in the country for nine days, would visit tourists' attraction sites including the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, the Kakum National Park and the Assin Manso Slave River in the Central Region as well as the Cocoa Research Institute at Tafo in the Eastern Region.

Six Ghanaians in the tourism industry were selected through a raffle draw to visit Gambia next month as part of the promotional package.