Kumasi, Oct. 7, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Office of the Ghana Touri= st Authority (GTA) is developing a website to provide information on hospitality facilities and tourist attraction sites in the region. Mr Ekow Sampson, Regional Manager, said the goal is to portray indigenous vocation, historical background, cultural identity, norms and values of the Asantes, as well as travel and tour operators. He told the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi that it was a conscious effort by the GTA to market the region's tourism potentials to the outside world via Information, Communication and Technology.

He said there should be no doubt that the initiative would tremendousl= y enhance growth in the tourism industry to bring in more returns and sustain the livelihood of those in the sector. Mr Sampson said it should not be lost on anybody the multiplying effec= t of tourism development on the socio-economic development of every nation, adding that, when given the needed attention the sector could generate considerable employment, create wealth and reduce poverty. The GTA, he said, had began the formation of tourism clubs in basic an= d second-cycle institutions in the region, to whip up enthusiasm and help th= e students to appreciate the relevance of domestic tourism to their educational development.

He expressed dissatisfaction about the low patronage of tourist attraction sites by the local people and said this would have to improve to help generate more revenue for the nation.