Tourism officials from Ghana and South Africa had a lot to smile about at the Movenpick Hotel in Accra last week during a meeting to officially announce the strengthening of ties between South African Tourism (SAT) and the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA).
SAT is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination. TOUGHA is an association of professionals in the travel industry in Ghana, composed of tour operators and travel agents.
There was some good food, music and well-dressed folks but the thing uppermost on everybody’s mind was how to take tourism between the two countries to new heights.
Mr Hloni Pitso, SAT’s Regional Manager for West Africa, said it was essential for his outfit to work with TOUGHA so that business could be channelled to the right quarters.
“You are important to us and we will always acknowledge and recognise the work you do,” Mr Pitso said to the Ghanaian tourism officials at the event.
Mrs Nancy Quartey Sam, the TOUGHA president appreciated the opportunity of her union to collaborate with SAT and hoped the partnership would bring new vim to tourism on the continent.
Under the partnership, SAT and TOUGHA will cooperate on training schemes and SAT will facilitate Ghanaian tour consultants’ familiarisation trips to South Africa and also support TOUGHA tourism events.
Apart from the announcement of the SAT-TOUGHA new relationship, the Movenpick event was also to introduce senior staff of the SAT office in Nigeria to the travel market in Ghana.
SAT has several offices across Europe and America and launched its first regional marketing office outside South Africa in Lagos, Nigeria in January 2014. That office looks after both Nigeria and Ghana.
It was revealed at the programme that arrivals in South Africa from Ghana stood at about 12,000 in 2009 but it is now at about 25, 000.
Another important element on the night was the award of certificates to 21 Ghanaian officials in the travel business who had completed online training in the SA Specialist course.
The SA Specialist course is a free interactive online learning programme that improves knowledge of South Africa. It equips participants with the skills to better sell South Africa as a tourist destination.
Branded certificates were presented to the SA Specialist graduates. They were congratulated by Mohammed Tanko Kwajaffa, Trade Relations Manager at the SAT regional office in Nigeria, on their desire to help sell correct tourism packages in South Africa to travellers from Ghana.
A surprise draw at the event gave 10 of the SA Specialists a chance to travel to tourist sites in South Africa for 10 days with all expenses to be borne by SAT.
Nigerian saxophonist Yhumie Oyelade was on hand to entertain guests at the function to some smooth jazz tunes.
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