The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) is feverishly preparing for the African Choral Festival scheduled for March 8-12, this year. Mr Ben Ohene-Ayeh, Public Relations Manager of the Authority, said the Festival was a novelty on the tourism calendar, and noted that several African countries would be represented with more than 50 to 60 musical groups from the United States of America also participating. He disclosed these in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, on the prospects for 2012 in the tourism sector. Mr Ohene-Ayeh said selected Ghanaian choirs from all the 10 Regions would be represented, and expressed the hope that the African Choral Festival, the first of its kind in Ghana, would be a huge success. Outlining other activities for the year, he said the GTA was looking forward to celebrating Chocolate Day in February. “The Paragliding Festival in Easter, a regatta in July, the Emancipation Day celebration in August and the celebration of World Tourism Day on September 27 are other activities to be expected this year,” Mr Ohene-Ayeh said. He said GTA would also feature major international tourism fairs to showcase Ghana’s unique historical, cultural and ecological attractions. “Our team is currently in Holland to participate in the upcoming 42nd Vakantiebeurs, a combined consumer and trade fair for tourism which has grown to become the largest consumer holiday fair in the world,” he said. Mr Ohene-Ayeh said Ghana’s attire, cuisine and traditional dances would also be featured during these fairs to attract potential visitors to the country. Referring to Ghana’s listing on Frommers’ as one of the top 10 tourism destinations he said the GTA hoped to increase tourism receipts and visitations this year. “The GTA now has a vibrant website, a face book, YouTube, twitter, and a blog account and has received very encouraging response from many visitors,” he said. Mr Ohene-Ayeh said 2012 had a lot of packages for tourism activities and said it would be a busy year for the tourism sector in Ghana.