ASSESSING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF TOURISM IN THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHAN

Abstract

Sustainable tourism has become part of human life globally, especially in the developed world where recreational activities have centre-stage in human endeavours. Apart from the scenery aspect of tourism to individuals, it has also contributed to national and community development. The benefits we stand to get from this sector will increase when there is sustainability in the tourists’ sites to continue to deliver the require life improvement. The study assesses the sustainability of some selected tourism sites in the Upper East Region, Ghana. The study employed a mixed research design involving the use of qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. Specifically, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and household survey were the primary data collection methods. The results showed that is promoting many economic activities within the fringe communities of the study area which has a direct positive impact in the livelihoods of residents particularly those involved in the tourism business activities at the sites. Additionally, there are several socio-cultural developments (social amenities) that has accrued to some of these fringe communities such as guest houses, restaurants and portable drinking water and feeder roads largely due to the operation of the tourism activities at the sites. Also, majority of the farmers do not carry their agricultural activities in the tourist sites either than the forest which is due to the stringent by-laws put in place by stakeholders in the communities to manage the tourist sites. Finally, the patronage in some of the tourist sites such as Tenzug and Dua in Talensi have low patronage and this is attributed to low publicity of the tourist sites and inadequate modern hospitality services such as standard accommodations, restaurants and other ancillary services. The study recommends that the Ghana Tourism Authority should adopt modern technology such as geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing technology to construct and display tourism maps and websites as well as redevelopment of these sites as way of advertising sites such as Dua and Tenzug which are bedevilled with low patronage. Again, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) which is the supervisory body should liaise with the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) and other medium and small-scale enterprises to empower and develop the business ideas of business players at the tourist sites to improve the socio-economic standards of individuals in the business and fringe communities.