TOURISM is a broad socio-economic sector that includes all the activities, attractions, facilities, services, and infrastructure related to people's travel away from their homes on long day trips or for overnight stays. Travel may be for holiday and recreation, business, attending meetings and conferences, official mission and other purposes. Tourism sector is the fastest growing of all modern economies around the globe, in Ghana, it is the third largest foreign exchange earner for the economy. It is expected to overtake some of the leading traditional export products by the turn of the decade. The industry's contribution to the Gross Domestic Project (GDP) stands at 4.9% in 2004. Tourism also plays a very significant role in poverty alleviation through income generation, employment and infrastructural development for the local communities where tourism attractions are located and generate revenue for government. A tourist visiting any of the communities spends money on accommodation, transport, food, entrance fees, souvenirs among others. Statistics indicate that the country recorded- tourism arrivals in 2006 with receipts amounting to US$. Tourism projections for 2007 are 1,000,000 visitors to generate USD1.5 billion revenue. THE GHANA TOURIST BOARD (GTB) The Ghana Tourist Board was set up by Legislative Instrument (NRC Decree 224) in 1973 to ensure an appropriate implementation of the government's tourism policies initiated by the Ministry Of Tourism and Diasporean Relations. GTB's main functions are therefore to, implement and advise the Ministry formulation of tourism policies. Market tourism locally and internationally Regulate and control the tourism industry as, Regulate, classify, license and control the is of accommodation, catering and retail tourism enterprise. Provides support services to investors a them with necessary information. In addition to the operational and admire departments at the Head Office, the Ghana Board has outlets in all the ten regions in the country MISSION OF THE GHANA TOURIST BOARD The mission of the Ghana Tourist Board is to sustainable tourism development through the I of an enabling environment for the provision 0 tourism and services for the traveling public well qualified, highly motivated and dedicated , thereby promoting tourism to become the mainstay of the Ghanaian economy. VISION OF GHANA TOURIST BOARD To see Ghana become the TOURISM CAPITAL of West Africa especially in culture, heritage, ecotourism as well as conference tourism in a quality non-mass manner. GHANA'S TOURISM PRODUCTS The tourism product is the totality of tourist attractions, facilities and services. Ghana's attractions can be categorized as follows: ECO-TOURISM -These are features primarily related to the natural ecology of the country. Examples of these resources. are, National Parks, such as Mole National Park, Ankasa Nature Reserves, Kakum Canopy Walkway, Buabeng-Fiema Monkey and Tafi Atome Sanctuaries etc. Beaches such as, La Pleasure Beach, Mighty Beach, Ningo-Prampram-Ada Beaches and Brenu-Akyinim. Lakes such as Volta Lake and Lake Bosumtwi. Waterfalls such as Wli and Kintampo waterfalls, among others. HISTORICAL TOURISM-These are features of historical significance. Examples of these features are Cape Coast, Elmina Castles, Fort St. Jago (UNESCO World Heritage Sites), Gwollu Defence Walls and the Slave Trade relics at Assin Manso and Salaga, traditional buildings. CULTURAL TOURISM Ghana's cultural heritage is a blend of both traditional and contemporary cultural values, which are expressed in the way of life of the people and in festivals (Homowo, Odwira, Hogbetsotso and Damba); art and craft (wood carvings, pottery making, Kente weaving, basket weaving and smocks making). RECREATIONAL TOURISM-These include water sports, angling and swimming. CONFERENCE TOURISM Facilities exist for domestic and international conferences. These include the Accra International Conference Centre and conference facilities at major hotels. COMMUNITY-BASED ECO-TOURISM PROJECTS (CBEP)The Community-Based Ecotourism Project (CBEP) in Ghana, is a joint effort by Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC), Ghana Tourist Board (GTB). SNV Netherlands Development, Peace Corps-Ghana, and the 14 project communities, involved in the first phase of the project. It aims to alleviate poverty in rural communities in Ghana through the creation of sustainable income-generating tourism activities, while conserving the delicate and sensitive ecological and cultural resources in their environments. The Project was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The selected destinations boast of unique natural attractions against the backdrop of interesting cultures in basically rural communities. The attractions range from picturesque views of landscapes, lush green vegetation and waterfalls, to hikes through tropical forests, mountain climbing, encounters with endangered species of monkeys, crocodiles, hippos and elephants, and interactions with friendly village folk. To ensure the sustainability of the programme, a Tourism Management Team (TMT), composed of representatives of the community, has been set up at each destination, and has been involved at every stage of the project, from planning to marketing. The TMTs have also received training to manage the project at the ground level to ensure continuity of project goals, even "after the project ends. Income realized from the tourism activities is being used to develop the communities by providing certain basic amenities such as extension of electricity supply to their areas, provision of boreholes water systems, toilet facilities, scholarships for brilliant school children, establishment of libraries, etc. Visitors are encouraged to visit these unique and interesting destinations, have fulfilling cultural exchanges, and contribute to the conservation and sustainable development of our environment. TOURISM ESTABLISHMENTS The Ghana Tourist Board has encouraged the upgrading, rehabilitation and licensing of tourism establishments as follows:Accommodation units i.e. hotels, guesthouses, home stays etc. Restaurants Traditional Catering , travel and Tourism operations Car Rentals, charter Flight operations The Ghana Tourist Board carries out regular inspection of the facilities to ensure their maintenance. MARKETING AND PROMOTION The marketing and promotional activities of the Ghana Tourist Board are focused on the following: .Participation in specialized International Tourism Fairs, Exhibitions and Conferences such as Vakantiebeurs, Holland; World Travel Market UK, promotional programmes in the USAetc. Production of publicity and promotional materials i.e. RegionalTourist Guides, Festivals of Ghana brochure, Mega brochures and Documentary films of Ghana's tourist attractions. These are distributed to Ghana's Missions overseas and Foreign Missions in Ghana, Tour Operators (Local/foreign) investors, consumers, researchers,. schools etc. Promotion of Domestic Tourism-Domestic Tourism is generally known as travel within the country for activities such as business, visiting friends and relatives, family events/festivals/ funerals, meetings / workshops, recreation etc. The promotion of Domestic Tourism by the GTB is also to enable domestic tourists appreciate its benefits which includes, inspiration of a sense of national identity,unity and cultural integration. Opportunity of learning more about one'scountry. Generation of employment. Prevention of rural-urban migration. Redistribution of incomes and. improvement of local economy..Prevention of host-guest conflict. Basis of a strong hospitality industry. Sustenance and maintenance of the industry during low tourist seasons. The formation of tourist clubs in schools, work places etc have been encouraged by the GTB and the clubs undertake tours to tourist attractions around the country to enable them know the country better. Awareness Creation-In addition to workshops and seminars organized for tourism trade associations by the GTBin various communities, the annual World Tourism Day Celebrations and other related special events are used to create awareness on the importance of tourism among the hostcommunities. Annual Tourism Awards Programme The Annual Tourism Awards Programmes are held to reward excellence in service delivery in the Private Sector. CONSTRAINTS: Major constraints are:Limited Budget and poor renumeration leading to limited promotional activities and inadequate skilled personnel. Inadequate infrastructural development at attraction sites. Control over tourist products are under allied agenciJ s Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (Forts, Castles, Museums) etc. High airfares and hotels tariffs, Weak domestic air links facilities Inadequate numbers of professionally trained human resource base, Unattractive i nvestment conc ssions for the sector. The above listed constraints are however being addressed. THE WAY FORWARD,To address these constraints the sector is pursuing the following: Advocating for increased budgetary allocation and better renumeration for personnel.Making efforts at Establishing Tourism Development Fund Seeking more donor support for tourism development and promotion. Encouraging more investment in the hotel and other sectors. The Ministry Of Tourism And' Modernization Of The Capital City is vigorously facilitating the divestiture of Ambassador, city and Atlantic Hotels. It is hoped that these will increase room supply and eventually help bring down the high hotel rates. Enhancing existing reststops on highways leading to tourist attractions and establishing new ones. The development of receptive facilities to enhance tourist products and increase length of stay of visitors. Zoning attraction sites for investment Establishing land banks for investment promotion,Undertaking investment promotion tours Enhancing human resource capacity through training programmes. Tourism must be seen as an instrument for creating wealth by transforming Ghana's natural resources to marketable products that would attract enough tourists into Ghana and achieve growth and alleviation of poverty particularly, among the urban and rural poor. Daily GUide