Kumasi, Aug 1, GNA - Ghana would host this year's International Celebration of the World Tourism Day in Accra from September 21-27. The event, to be organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) would attract the participation of all the 181-member countries.

The theme for the celebrations is "Tourism: Celebrating Diversity". Mr Charles Osei-Bonsu, Deputy Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) in charge of Finance and Administration, announced this at a stakeholders meeting organized by the Board in Kumasi on Friday.

The event, he said, would be used to highlight the tourism potential of Ghana as well as those of the other participating countries.

He said he was confident that the returns in terms of foreign exchange to the country would make the hosting worthwhile. Mr Osei-Bonsu, who is a member of the event's Planning Committee, said Ghana was expected to become a showcase to woo foreign investors into the various sectors of the economy.

The choice of the country, he said, was influenced by its acknowledged good governance, stability and hospitality of the people. Dr. Nana Baah Wiredu, Tourism Consultant and Chairman of the Sub-Committee for Exhibitions, recognized Ashanti Region for its unique culture and appealed to all stakeholders to participate in the activities of the celebration.

Mr Oti Awere, Tourism Manager from the Wild Life Division of the Forestry Commission, said tourism could become the economic backbone of the country and hoped that the celebration would greatly enhance the potentials of the industry.

A number of local and foreign journalists would be covering the event and this would enable the country and its tourism attraction to be publicized to the whole world.

Exhibitions, conferences, food fair, trips, quiz competitions, workshops and music and dance competitions would be held as part of the celebration.