Africa Tourism Research Network (ATRN), dedicated to advocating for higher standards in travel and tourism research, analysis, and marketing, yesterday launched in Accra, Ghana.
ATRN will continue to contribute to the advancement of tourism research on a national, regional, and global scale and is bringing together the most talented and knowledgeable individuals in the travel and tourism research field.
Members include academia, professional practitioners, government and its agencies and research experts who collaborate, and network with peers from across the globe.
The launch of ATRN in Accra saw an impressive line-up up of speakers starting with Emmanuel Frimpong, the man behind the concept, Joseph Mensah-Ansah, Dr. Kwesi Eyison, Devizes Kwame Owusu-Ansah and former Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Minister Alain St.Ange of Seychelles among others.
Alain St.Ange, who was invited to the podium as an expert in the field of Tourism and Travel delivered his speech in front of a packed conference room in his ‘trademark’ known style of speaking from the heart with no written notes.
As he started to speak he managed to get everyone in the hall to relax and laugh out loud when he referred to his family name ‘St.Ange’ saying that when translated into English it only said ‘Holly Angel’ highlighting that it is expected that he is only met as a Saint and an Angel after death, but that today because if the importance of the event he was standing here in Accra.
The former Seychelles Minister who was one of the three candidates in the island’s last Presidential Elections spoke about the importance of every Ghanaian to stand behind their tourism industry adding that today’s launch of the ATRN was a big step in the consolidation of Tourism, not as an activity, but as an industry. “Proper data and real factual information is key to tourism growth. To know the importance of the industry every one must have credible information about relative facts and figures” St.Ange said as he congratulated Emmanuel Frimpong and his Team.
Alain St.Ange also went on to push the ‘Buy Ghana’ concept as he developed the point around the great Ghana Cocoa industry and the excellent local chocolates. “Be proud of the Ghana-made products, stand behind your industries and buy Made in Ghana products” he said as he ended his long address with loud applause.
