The World Bank is urging Ghana to develop strategies to manage its tourism sectors as the country experiences growth in that industry. 

The World Bank in its first ever Tourism in Africa Report classifies Ghana under countries maintaining and consolidating successes in the tourism sector. Ghana and Cape Verde are the only two lower-middle income countries in that category. 

The categorization entailed an analysis of the current situation and future prospects of the tourism sector as well as Ghana’s macroeconomic setting, using five key indicators. 

Eight Sub-Saharan countries were classified as working on deepening and sustaining tourism success- i.e having relatively mature tourism sectors, showing commitment to tourism and having the highest economic and tourism performance in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The World Bank warns if the growth chalked by Ghana is not well managed, it could threaten the viability of tourism resorts. 

Among the recommended strategies the World Bank puts forward are increasing visitor arrivals in the non-peak season or seasons by pricing incentives, diversifying the tourism product, and scheduling special events, such as film or music festivals, in the off-season. 

The World Bank among others also underscored the need to garner strong political support for tourism at a high level in government.

It also emphasized the vital role played by the private sector and the need for government to create an enabling environment for investments, as well as provide supporting infrastructure for those investments.