Businesses in the tourism sector have been sensitised on the third phase of the Ghana Tourism Development Project grants disbursement.

The grants disbursement, managed and implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), is aimed at strengthening and developing the tourism sector.

The sensitisation programme which took place in Kumasi also provided an opportunity for key players in the sector to appreciate how to benefit from the $10 million grant to support their firms.

A total of 1,130 firms are expected to access between GHC20,000 and $20,000 from the $10 million grant to support private organizations to help them expand and employ more people in the sector.

The third phase of the tourism grant will be disbursed under three levels: COVID relief funds to help firms get off the ground; grants for small and medium-sized businesses; and site upgrade grants (SUG) to help businesses and tourism sites update their infrastructure.

It will be disbursed as follows: $2 million for COVID-19 Response Grants (CRGs) targeted at Small and Medium Scale Enterprises most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, $3.5 million for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) targeted at existing, viable businesses with well-developed business plan and $4,5 for Site Upgrade Grants (SUGs) targeted at Developing Tourist Sites and Destinations.

Out of 1,130 businesses, the COVID relief grant is aimed at 1,000 businesses nationwide, 100 small to medium-sized businesses, and 30 sites upgrade grants.

“Part of the money has also been set aside as a grant program to support private initiatives under the tourism sector. This includes restaurants, hotels, sites, tourism transportation service among others,” Chairman of GTDC, Kwadwo Antwi said.

The project seeks to use technology to ensure accountability, but there are issues with access to business supporting documents and bank accounts during the application process.

The project developers are training potential beneficiaries to overcome the technological change.

Mr. Antwi, promised to ensure no firm misuses the grant.

The GTDP is a $40 million World Bank approved grant to the Government of Ghana under the International Development Association credit targeted at specific Tourism, Arts and Culture destinations in the country.

The initiative will assist in enhancing the performance of Ghana’s designated tourist sites.