Ghana needs more places like this.....TOURIST TRAPS!
PART TWO
For the sake of plausible deniability, Mr. Spy is simply called Kweku, his obroni name is classified. Anyway, in the shortest possible time he begun to deduce pretty solid and truthful observations and conclusions about Ghana and its people, its culture and its potential and I think I should share some of his thoughts and suggestions. I guess his trained mind and my inquisitive mind naturally delved into an interesting conversation where he educated me on ways not just to improve my burgeoning business interests and my personal self, but ways to improve my immediate environment and perhaps effect some gradual system-wide changes as well. (Eii Masa, YOBBING SOOO!) Our conversation was mostly deliberating one issue – Tourism and its potential in developing Ghana. The question he posed to me was this, “How do you get many rich, white people to vacation in a place like Ghana, and spend thousands of dollars daily, feel safe and secure and still feel like they have been exposed to the vibrant local culture and beautiful scenery.” How indeed, but why should Ghana's economy even depend on funds accrued from tourism in the first place, we don't even need these rich white people, right? Wrong! There are some very funny facts I have come across: it appears the US is the third top tourist destination in the world (how France den Spain chop 1st & 2nd be Awam sef) and the number one tourism revenue earner, as well as having the number one tourist attraction – you guessed right, Times Square. All these tourists go the US and do one thing, SPEND! They spend huge amounts of money that in concert boost the local economy by creating jobs and providing foreign exchange.
Mr. Kweku raised a very salient point; the Carribean is just like Ghana, same food, same people, same lovely weather, same language and just one difference – massive investments in Attractive, Safe and Secure tourist destinations where tourists can loose themselves in the beckoning beaches and sites, the local foods and flavors, and do what they do best Spend and Spend. Look at Dubai, why would an Oil rich emirate decide to invest massively in tourist infrastructure and not a huge financial and banking setup rather? The answer is that tourism will eventually bring along all these other industries or develop in situ sectors further. Every developed nation is primarily a massive tourist trap for both Local and Foreign tourists. Does Ghana even promote Local Tourism, how many Ghanaians, born and bred, have been to Mole National Park or the Paga Crocodile pond, certainly not me, but Kweku Spy will go there and take lots and lots of pictures and end up knowing more about Ghana than Ghanaians do. Imagine Ghana with a vacation resort paradise about the size of Monaco somewhere on an accessible beach; how much for construction costs, how much for wages, how much for tax – I mean, AHIAAAA. This is a plausible idea that can be successfully implemented by indigenous people, however we will most likely wait and let some rich Saudi Prince come and build it for us and then complain when he takes all the money back to his country. I mean look at Ghana's newest hotel and tourist landmark, Holiday Inn, do you think it is owned by some through and through bibini black man, Nope! Its some smart Lebanese dude with the opportunity, funding and necessary effort who put it up and will consequently be chopping money from Kotoka’s daily arrivals. Every plane wey e go drop, minimun 20% go de inside man in hotel for accomodation. E no be me I tok oh, but Kweku Spy. You see, if you know me you probably know I love to talk, but this was one of those situations where you shut up and listen well, take notes, pay attention and think well before speak.
Changing Ghana from this mediocre and practically unknown tourism gem waiting to happen and polish it into Africa's premier Vacation Mecca is not nearly as difficult as it seems. Mr. Kweku Spy gave me the two most important things any tourist anywhere in the world is looking for - Safety & Security. If you can guarantee that the tourist will be safe and secure in terms of their comfort, health, enjoyment, and that they will leave Ghana far better and relaxed than when they arrived then why would they not troop here and SPEND, Spend, and spend some more. Mr. Kweku gave me a very common and crippling problem we face in Ghana – the lack of security in spending money; everything is cash based instead of credit based and these Abrofo realy don't like handling cash. Even as a Ghanaian my ATM card is my best friend, Ezwich will join the family when Mr. Ampofo and his concerted business efforts bear some fruit. This process of moving from a cash-based society to a credit-based society, at least at crucial interchange and 'exposure' points should be sped up efficiently so as to encourage the unleashing of the big bucks – enough with the petty cash. I mean, should we wait and let Foreigners always exploit all the good investment opportunities before we the local investors and talent either lag behind or end up working for them, is that the way to sustainably develop our own country and our continent? As for me, God willing, I will find ingenious ways to make people - both Ghanaian and Foreign alike – to invest in the local EKOMINI and keep doing so on a sustainable basis. This is the integral part of my confidential business strategy. As they pay La Palm and Holiday Inn now, so shall they pay me and you 10 times more in 10 years time, that is with a little bit of luck and a whole bunch of sweat, blood and tears. Then maybe Ghana will finally have something worth spying on, Right?
May God richly bless you all and may your dreams come true....!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment