The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), Professor Kobby Mensah, has underscored the importance of delivering relevant tourism experiences tailored to different segments of visitors.
Speaking at the Meetings Africa conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, Prof. Mensah emphasised the need for African countries to adopt a strategic approach to enhancing tourism offerings.
Prof. Mensah noted in his address that for Ghana, President John Mahama’s vision of the Black Star Experience underpins the country’s tourism industry’s philosophy moving forward. According to Prof. Mensah, this vision seeks to create immersive and culturally rich experiences that align with the expectations of both domestic and international tourists.
He also highlighted Ghana’s unique geographical position—latitude 0 and longitude 0—as an advantage that presents numerous opportunities for diverse tourism experiences. Among these, he identified educational tourism as a key area of focus, leveraging Ghana’s global positioning to attract knowledge-driven travellers.
Prof. Mensah further stressed that for tourism experiences to be relevant, technology and innovative processes must be integrated into tourism frameworks to enhance visitor engagement and ensure sustainability.
He noted that modern tourists seek seamless, tech-enabled interactions, from digital booking systems to immersive cultural experiences powered by technology. In this regard, his outfit, the Ghana Tourism Development Company, in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and other agencies under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, is taking the lead in implementing strategies that align with global trends in tourism development.
“As tourism agencies, we must ensure that the right technology and processes are in place to allow visitors to immerse themselves in the most relevant experiences they seek fully,” he stated.
“Ghana has so much to offer, and by embracing digital transformation, we can elevate our tourism sector to new heights.
At GTDC, we are at the forefront of this agenda, positioning Ghana as a premier destination for diverse tourism experiences, reinforcing its role as a hub for cultural, historical, and educational tourism in Africa.”
