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Prof. Kobby Mensah Shares Vision for a Sustainable Future in Ghana’s Tourism Sector

Professor Kobby Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), has emphasized the need for a long-term, sustainable approach to building Ghana’s tourism industry beyond seasonal travel trends.

In an interview with GhanaWeb, Prof. Mensah stressed the importance of ensuring that Ghana remains an all-year-round destination, not just popular during December.

“We need to ensure that Ghana is not only open in December but open 24/7 throughout the year,” he said. “To achieve this, we are implementing sustainable programs. One of them is the Ghana Tourism Marketplace.”

He explained that the Ghana Tourism Marketplace is being developed as a comprehensive platform to collect and manage visitor data, including contact numbers and email addresses, so the country can maintain ongoing engagement with tourists even after they leave.

“Imagine having a single database of everyone who has visited Ghana—those who went to Paga to see the crocodiles, for example. If a crocodile gives birth to a baby, we can immediately send out an email saying, ‘Why not come back and witness this?’ That’s what sustainable tourism looks like,” Prof. Mensah explained.

He added that capturing visitor information would allow Ghana to maintain continuous communication with tourists, keeping them informed about new attractions, events, and developments across the country.

“We cannot just let people come and go without any means of follow-up. We must have systems in place to re-engage them,” he said. “That’s why the Ghana Tourism Marketplace will onboard every conceivable vendor in the tourism ecosystem and encourage tourists to use that platform. Once they do, we’ll have their contact information and can send them updates about what’s happening in Ghana.”

Prof. Mensah also revealed that GTDC is currently developing an email client that will allow the organization to send bulk communications to foreign ministries, diplomatic missions, and individual visitors with ease.

“This platform will allow us to send timely updates to thousands of contacts including foreign services and embassies so that people across the world are consistently informed about what Ghana has to offer. They will receive accurate, relevant information, and see that we are organized and intentional about our tourism strategy,” he said.

According to Prof. Mensah, this level of coordination and communication is essential for building a tourism sector that is sustainable, impactful, and globally competitive.

“With these systems in place, we’ll not only improve visitor experiences but also drive repeat visits and long-term growth. That’s how we begin to truly realize the potential of Ghana’s tourism sector.”

Writer: Frederick Nortey 

Email: nueteiafrohead@gmail.com

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