Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, has urged operators in the hospitality industry not to concentrate on the cooking of continental dishes alone but promote the consumption of Ghanaian meals to project the local customs in their areas.
Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo gave the advice at a forum to mark the regional celebration of the World Tourism Day, in Sunyani. It was on the theme "Tourism; Celebrating Diversity".
He expressed worry that most of those in the region cooked continental dishes to the detriment of Ghanaian ones.
The Regional Minister advised proprietors of hotels and restaurants to ensure that their staff adhered to proper personal hygiene and environmental sanitation.
Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo said Brong-Ahafo was blessed with numerous tourism sites, which could be developed to enhance eco-tourism.
He advised the municipal and district assemblies to develop such sites to boost eco-tourism and to generate revenue to support their overall-development.
Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo stressed the government's commitment to stem armed robbery so that tourists would have their peace to move about freely without fear.
Mr. Francis Tapena, Acting Regional Manager of the Ghana Tourist Board, said the tourism industry played a very significant role in nation building.
"There is increasing awareness of tourism's role as a productive activity and its undisputed potential to generate employment, revenue and other benefits whether directly of indirectly," he stressed.
In a quiz competition, Sunyani Senior High School (SUSEC) secured 61 points to beat Twene Amanfo Senior High Technical School (TASTEC).
For their prize, SUSEC received GHC 100 while TASTEC took away GHC 60.