The West African Nation of Ghana has been named in a Top 10 list of Tourism Destination in the world for 2012.

Frommer’s Travel, a reputable global and tourism industry, named the West African country 5th, among other developed cities and countries, including Fukuoka, Japan, England’s Greenwich, London, Girona, Spain, Kansas City, Missouri, Curacao, Venezuela, Chongqing, China.

The Ghana Tourism Authority is not only reveling in the new ratings by Frommer’s Travel but is taking concrete steps to attract as many tourists as possible into the country.

At a media briefing on Friday, the Executive Director of the Authority, Julius Debrah said the ratings is a testament of the transformation at the Authority, adding, his outfit has put in place concrete measures to ensure the ratings will not just be a fluke.

He told Myjoyonline.com shortly after the briefing that his outfit will be organizing an African Choral Festival early next year.

The Festival, he said, will host seasoned choristers from colleges around the world who will converge in Ghana, tentatively at the Cape Coast Castle and treat patrons to soothing, resounding, repertoire of choral music.

According to him, over 200 colleges in America and South Africa have so far confirmed their participation in the festival and are working feverishly to attract more.

He was hopeful the festival will rake in massive revenue for the country as the prospective participants are expected to pay their airfares, foot their own hotel bills and other expenses.
Football and tourism
Whilst looking to advertise on the international media in the medium to long term, he stated the Authority is taking great advantage of the social media - facebook, twitter, youtube - to put Ghana on the world map.

Mr. Debrah also acknowledged the impregnable role football is playing in Ghana’s tourism adventure. He paid a glowing tribute to Black Stars and Al Ain striker Asamoah Gyan who stole the show in Wednesday’s World Travel Market 2011, in London.

He said his outfit is looking to leverage on Ghana’s participation in next year’s Nations Cup to be co-hosted by Gabon and Guinea Bissau.

With several complaints about bad attitude by hotel owners, Mr. Debrah said as part of measures to sanitize the hotel industry, it has become mandatory for all hoteliers and staff to be certified with approved qualification.

He said the days when people put up hotels and appoint their wives and children with no requisite certification to manage those hotels were over.

He opined the Authority has no excuse but to prepare adequately to take advantage of this new ranking.

The Authority has also launched an official magazine which will be released quarterly and will encapsulate glorious places of interest and any fascinating thing about Ghana.

It also has breathtaking video clips posted on youtube to be viewed world wide.