It has published a book titled “Tourism Development in Ghana`s Brong-Ahafo Region: Demand and Supply Dynamics” with the goal of assisting to boost tourism and improve hospitality management in the area.

It is the product of the University’s Department of Eco-tourism of the School of Natural Resources. The book focusses, particularly on tourism development and shows the relationship between the institution and the region – the host community.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Harrison Dapaah, speaking at its launch in Sunyani, underlined the importance of tourism to the nation’s economy and asked that the sector was given priority attention.

Tourism contributes in excess of six per cent of Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP) and ranks as its fourth leading foreign exchange earner. Prof Dapaah said the book identifies the expansion of the hospitality industry, especially hotels and restaurants as the main pointers to the growth of the sector in the region.

He indicated that every reader – industry operators, policy-makers, tourists, students and the general public, would find it beneficial. Dr Oheneba Akwasi Akyeampong, Dean of the School, noted that in spite of the region’s rich eco-tourism endowment “not much scholarly works have been done on tourism development in the region”.

 This was something the book sought to deal with, he added.

Mr. Osei Kwadwo Hayford, the Asunafo South District Director of Education, said the book was vital to the region and the nation because it provided information for anyone, eager to gain knowledge in hospitality management.

It has filled the void of inadequate information on tourism and hospitality management.

He said it would serve as a reference material for academia, research and social scientists and recommended it for teachers, students at all levels and everybody.