Women associations in the tourism industry have appealed to the government and corporate bodies to establish tourist villages in all the regional capitals as a measure to promote the industry. They explained that there must be strategic tourism development plan for the regions and such facilities would help train the artisans for the industry and also enable the local people to market their products to attract tourists to earn more money for the country. Madam Anacleta Naab, Upper West Regional Coordinator of Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC) made the appeal at a forum when she spoke on: “The prospects and challenges facing women in the tourism industry" in Wa. The forum was organised for hoteliers, restaurant and chop bar owners in the Wa Municipality to mark United Nations World Tourism Organisation Day, which was on the theme: "Tourism opens doors for women". The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has set aside the Day to create awareness on tourism issues among the public. Madam Naab called on stakeholders in the tourism industry to encourage women to come out from the shackles of traditional and religious limitations and actively participate in the industry to make it flourish. She said many women were avoiding the industry because of public perception that women in the industry were professional prostitutes and urged them not be discouraged about such comments. Madam Naab urged women to go into hotel development, waste management service and restaurant businesses as well as traveling and tour operations as their contribution towards the growth of the industry. The GNCC Coordinator appealed to the government to undertake regular capacity building of women to improve their skills to enable them to effectively take the centre role in the activities of the industry. Source: GNA