The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has launched a new digital platform aimed at transforming tourism administration, improving regulatory compliance and enhancing data management across the sector.
The Ghana Tourism Information System (GTIS) will enable tourism operators to apply for licences, renew permits, submit returns, manage records and pay statutory levies online, reducing paperwork and improving efficiency.
Launching the platform in Accra, Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, described the initiative as a major step towards modernising tourism governance and supporting the government’s efforts to strengthen public service delivery and economic growth.
She noted that many tourism businesses have long faced challenges in accessing regulatory services, with operators often travelling considerable distances to process licences and other documentation.
According to her, the digital platform is designed to remove such barriers by making regulatory processes more accessible, transparent and user-friendly.
“If we truly want to transform tourism into a major pillar of national development, then we must first strengthen the systems that support the industry. Regulation must be easier, compliance simpler and participation more inclusive for tourism operators across the country,” she said.
A key feature of the GTIS is the Licensed Facility Verification System, which allows members of the public to confirm whether a tourism establishment is officially licensed before using its services.
Mrs. Houadjeto explained that the verification tool would help protect consumers from unlicensed operators while promoting greater confidence and trust in Ghana’s tourism industry.
She said the initiative would also contribute to improved service standards by encouraging businesses to comply with licensing requirements and regulatory obligations.
The GTA Chief Executive described tourism as a critical contributor to national development, noting that the sector plays a significant role in job creation, investment attraction, cultural preservation and the promotion of Ghana’s identity on the global stage.
She said the government’s vision is to position tourism as one of the country’s leading economic sectors and a major contributor to Gross Domestic Product.
Achieving that objective, she stressed, requires reliable data systems capable of providing real-time information on tourism activities and industry performance.
“To make informed decisions and effectively plan for growth, we need accurate and timely data about the sector. The GTIS provides the foundation for that,” she stated.
Mrs. Houadjeto further announced that the next phase of the platform would introduce a Customer Service Register module to enable tourism operators to securely capture customer information and service records.
The data generated through the system is expected to support evidence-based policymaking, guide investment decisions and help authorities design targeted interventions to address industry challenges.
She therefore urged tourism operators across the country to embrace the digital platform and take advantage of its capabilities to improve operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
The GTA boss also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Authority’s Board, staff and technical partners for their support in developing the platform.
She singled out the technical development team behind the project for their role in turning the Authority’s digital transformation vision into a functioning national system.
Mrs. Houadjeto said the launch of the GTIS marked the beginning of a new era for Ghana’s tourism industry, where technology would play a central role in improving service delivery, strengthening regulation and enhancing sector competitiveness.
“The future of tourism in Ghana is digital. The future of tourism in Ghana is connected. And the future of tourism in Ghana begins now,” she said.
Industry stakeholders expect the new platform to simplify interactions between tourism businesses and regulators while providing government agencies with better data to support planning and sector development.
