FIRST NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Rationale
Since the early 1990s tourism activity in the country has increased considerably. From a position of obscurity, the industry has risen to become the fourth highest foreign exchange earner. Aside the impressive economic indicators about the sector's growth, evidence of the sector's vibrancy can be found in the creation of many trade associations. Currently stakeholders in the industry can be classified into three broad groups based on their respective roles:

• Policy makers

• Practitioners

• Academia

• Host Communities
  

Each of these stakeholders plays their respective roles in their own right. However, a cursory examination of the current tourism practice points to a fragmented industry characterized by very little or no linkages.

The conduct of research is an important ingredient for sustainable tourism development. Successful tourism industries the world over are oiled by relevant research through inter-industry linkages.
Though all of the stakeholders undertake their own research, the results are hardly shared with others players. In addition, the many changes and challenges international tourism faces today call for an integrated research platform to feed the industry with relevant information for decision making and growth. Consequently, the importance of relevant research cannot be further downplayed if sustained growth in the sector is to be expected as per the projections of the UNWTO.

The aim of this conference therefore, is to create a platform for interaction among the major stakeholders to enable the identification of common areas which require research attention to feed the practice of tourism.
Target: Ministry of Tourism; Ghana Tourist Board; members of GHATOF; TOUGHA; TOURGAG; CRAG; Chiefs Association; tourism academics; tourism attraction managers, etc.

THEME: Strengthening Stakeholder Linkages for Sustainable Tourism Development
VENUE: University of Cape Coast

DATE: Friday, 21st August 2009
TIME: 8.00am - 4.00pm