Mr. Emmanuel Treku, Chief Executive Officer of Inter Tourism Expo Accra, has called on Ghanaian journalists to embrace tourism, hospitality and business reporting as powerful tools for national development, economic growth and global visibility.
Speaking as facilitator at a specialized training programme for journalists in Accra, Mr. Treku said tourism must no longer be viewed merely as travel and leisure but as a major economic ecosystem capable of creating jobs, attracting investments and promoting Ghana’s cultural identity to the world.
The training programme, themed “Building a Strong Tourism Press Corps in Ghana,” was powered by Inter Tourism Expo Accra in collaboration with the Rebecca Ekpe Mentorship Program for Journalists and Content Creators, with support from Edern Garden Hotel.
Addressing participants, Mr. Treku took journalists through key areas including tourism, hospitality and business reporting, tourism storytelling, destination marketing, digital content monetization, ethics in reporting and tourism as an economic system.
“Today we’re looking at tourism not just as travel, but as a powerful business ecosystem,” he stated. Read Also: NLA Workers Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Conditions
According to him, tourism creates economic activity wherever people go and supports several interconnected sectors including transport, accommodation, food and beverage, attractions, events and ancillary services.
“One tourist supports multiple businesses—not just one hotel,” he emphasized.
Mr. Treku explained that hospitality remains the “experience layer” of tourism, stressing that the way visitors are received and treated determines how destinations are remembered globally.
He further noted that tourism remains one of the fastest ways to create employment opportunities, especially for young people, while also generating revenue and foreign exchange for the country.
Highlighting the role of the media, the Inter Tourism Expo Accra CEO said strong storytelling and destination branding could significantly influence tourism demand and investment opportunities. http://www.ghanaweb.com
“Without media, even the best destination can remain invisible,” he told participants.
The facilitator encouraged journalists to focus on emotional storytelling, human interest angles, cultural depth and visual storytelling to attract global attention to Ghana’s tourism destinations and businesses.
He also underscored the growing importance of digital platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and blogs in shaping tourism narratives and generating income through sponsorships, advertisements and brand partnerships.
Using Ghana’s “Year of Return” initiative as a case study, Mr. Treku pointed to the impact of media amplification and diaspora engagement in boosting tourist arrivals and international attention.
On professional standards, he urged journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness and cultural sensitivity in their reportage while avoiding stereotypes capable of damaging Africa’s tourism image.
“Media shapes perception,” he stressed.
Mr. Treku also trained participants on practical content development, story pitching techniques and crafting compelling tourism stories with strong visuals and timely relevance.
The programme forms part of efforts to strengthen tourism journalism in Ghana and equip media practitioners with the knowledge and skills needed to promote the country’s tourism and hospitality industry effectively.
