The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has advised hoteliers to cut hotel rates in line with present circumstances, so as to boost domestic tourism.

The Volta Regional Director of GTA, Alexander Nketia said the Covid-19 pandemic has destructed international tourism, however, it offers the industry the opportunity to begin to deepen, widen and encourage domestic tourism.

"Hoteliers should provide rates and packages that meet the domestic tourists pocket and a different rate for international tourists," he disclosed at the 2019 Volta Regional Tourism Awards

He further stressed the need to strengthen the capacity of various industry stakeholders including the public sector and GHATOF members, both financially and technology to propel the industry.

Alexander Nketia also proposed to both the state and private agencies to offer vouchers to their workers to enable them visit tourist sites to explore the beautiful nature.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa who himself is an industry player touted the enormous tourism potentials of the Volta Region, naming the ancient fort, great flora and fauna pristine beaches, rolling mountains and waterfalls coupled with traditional rites and festivals as examples.

He, however, bemoaned the development of tourism in the region as very poor.

Dr Letsa said, "it is unfortunate that the development of tourism in the region has relatively been poor".

The Minister, therefore, encouraged residents of the Region to show interest in tourism and its promotion.

He believes when citizens use their networks and invest in tourism, tourism will take centre stage in advancing the development of the region.

According to him, government launched "beyond the return, the diaspora dividend" in order to ensure sustainability and the gains of the year of return which brought some enthusiasm into the industry.

The rates of hotel accommodation remain one of the major considerations for local tourists traveling from longer distance to the Volta region for fun.

The region recorded less than 60,000 tourists in the 10 known tourist sites for the year 2018. The impact of covid will reduce the numbers drastically this year.

The awards which was slated for March 28, 2020 had to be postponed until ban on gathering and other restrictions were eased due to covid pandemic.

In all, 19 awards were won on merit while seven other honorary awards were given to deserving individuals who contributed to the industry for the year under review 2019.