Ghana | Culture and Lifestyle Key to Tourism Growth for the Country

Ghana, a country situated in West Africa, adjacent to the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, a land boasts a rich cultural heritage, several attractions such as a diverse wildlife, national parks, pristine beaches, emblematic sites and vibrant cities bets on culture and lifestyle as key to tourism growth for the country.

Ghana's cultural tourism landscape offers a vibrant blend of historical sites, traditional festivals, and a thriving arts scene highlighted by the rhythm of highlife and hiplife music. 

The country's rich heritage includes the legacy of the iconic Ashanti Empire, a powerful West African kingdom that existed in what is now Ghana from approximately 1670 to 1901 and traditional crafts like Adinkra cloth, Kente cloth and wood carving, offering visitors many opportunities to live authentic cultural experiences.

Ghana's Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called for a coordinated strategy to elevarte the country's tourism offering, citing Ghana's culture, cuisine aned lifestyle as core attractions.

Speaking during a courtesy visit from the TOUGHA, the Tour Operators Union of Ghana, the Minister highlighted the need to brand Ghana's cultural identity more effectively on the global stage offering authentic experiences.

A key driver for tourism promotion  is the "Black Star Experience", the government's flagship culture, arts, and tourism brand to make the country a preferred tourism destination.

Designed to drive cultural rebranding, economic transformation and creative empowerment through a national calendar of festivals, exhibitions, perfoermances, training and infrastructure development, Black Star Experience in an engine to showcase the Ghanian cultural identity and providing immersive lifestyle packages for international travellers.

 The Minister cautioned against disjointed efforts within the sector, warning the lack of coordination could fuel informal tourism activities outside of regulatory oversight.

 During the meeting the President of Tour Operators Union of Ghana, Yvonne Donker raised concerns about unlicensed operators marketing services on social media without formal training or compliance, calling for strengthened regulation and industry cohesion.

In addition TOUGHA outlined plans to expand tourism beyond traditional centre like the capital of the country Accra and Cape Coast through national unification efforts, regional promotion, and a new skills training programme set to launch next month.

Both sides agreed the importance of reciprocal marketing, highlighting outbound travel figures such as the 36.000 Ghanian who visited South Africa in 2024 to encourage more marketing in African source markets and position Ghana as a competitive regional destination.

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/ghana-s-culture-and-lifestyle-key-to-tourism-growth-says-minister.html

Paraguay | Announced a Solid Investment to Strengthen Religious Tourism Revitalising Iconic Sacred Sites

Paraguay, a South American landlocked country situated between Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil through the Minister of the the National Secretariat of Tourism,( Senatur) Angie Duarte during a recent government visit to Encarnación, a city on the north bank of the Paraná River announced a solid investment of G.270.000.000 by the Institution that will be administrated by the Chamber of Tourism of the Jesuit Route.

This initiative focuses on the enhancement of the church of Itapuá and the sanctuary of the Virgin in Encarnación with the aim to strengthen religious tourism and revitalise iconic sacred sites, showcasing the Southern region's rich spiritual heritage and the incomparable value of its historic missions.

Religious tourism in Paraguay is strongly centered around historical Jesuit missions and churches with sites like Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue being UNESCO World Heritage sites, missions that with the church in Yaguarón, showcase the relevant religious and cultural heritage of the region.

The Jesuit missions are an iconic reminder of Paraguay's colonial past and the interaction between European and indigenous cultures, sites that are attractive to Catholic pilgrims and cultural tourists seeking to explore the region's religious history.

 There are ongoing efforts to enhance and preserve these sacred sites, including the development of a more comprehensive circuit for religious tourism, and Paraguay is actively working to promote sustainable religious tourism, ensuring that these sites are preserved for future generations.

In Paraguay, this segment currently has options such as the Jesuit Route, the Franciscan Way, the Marian Circuit and the Circuit of the Faith of Guairá, which are combined with the best of its gastronomy, culture and natural environment, that in addition are recommended worldwide by the Vatican, in the well-known catalog of specialized operator Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi.

During Holy Week, the Jesuit Missions, registered a total of 3.754 visits, distributed between the Mission o the Santísima Trinidad de Paraná with 2.023 visits, Jesús de Tavarangue with 652, and San Cosme and San Damián together with the "Buenaventura Suárez" Astronomical Interpretation Centre, which received 1.079 visitors.

In the framework of the government day in the department of Itapúa, and accompanying the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, the Minister of the the National Secretariat of Tourism, Angie Duarte highlighted the relevance of the investment to strengthen religious tourism revitalising iconic sacred sites stating that this project will enhance Paraguay religious tourism and value the rich history of Itapúa,  cradle of the Jesuit Missions and soon there will be its inauguration.

During the day, other contributions were made by the Government aimed at strengthening the health system, supporting education, and accompanying international events in the department.

For tourism medical equipment was contributed to the Organization Committee of WCR Paraguay 2025, World Rally Championship with a total investment of G. 691 million for the WRC. The event was equipped with arrest carts, multiparametric X - ray monitors and portable ultrasound infusion pumps and AED defibrillator among others.

In addition, the Ministry of the the National Secretariat of Tourism is promoting a work agenda with local Institutions in Itapúa to prepare an unforgettable experience for visitors to the World Rally Championship that will take place in August.

 In this sense, they began the development of a tourist and cultural agenda that will integrate complementary activities and information points to receive visitors with the best in terms of tourism, hospitality and culture.

Link 
https://www.lanacion.com.py/negocios/2025/06/06/anuncian-inversion-de-g-270-millones-para-fortalecer-el-turismo-religioso/

The Bahamas | "A Lifetime of Islands", Renewned Tourism Advertising Campaign Launched

The Bahamas, an archipelagic and island country within the Lucayan Archipelago of the Atlantic Ocean known for its vibrant culture, easygoing lifestyle, pristine beaches, turquoise waters, teeming marine life also highlighted by heritage sites, shipwrecks and exciting water parks launched its tourism advertising campaign entitled " A Lifetime of Islands" with the aim of showcasing the stunning beauty and and the wealth of experiences offered by the destination.

The heart and soul of the campaign is a series of five 30 second television spots starring the famous singer, musician, songwriter, record producer and actor Lenny Kravits, talented artist characterized by its blend of rock, hard rock, funk, soul, reggae and R&B, who enthusiastically expresses his love for The Bahamas and celebrates his Bahamian roots by participating in this tourism expansion initiative.

The campaign was accurately designed to represent in all its essence The Bahamas as a paradise made up of more than 700 islands and islets, including 16 main inhabited islands, each with its own unique identity, culture and all them offering authentic experiences.

"A Lifetime od Islands" highlights Lenny Kravits and his iconic song Fly Away, released as the fourth single from his fifth studio album, 5 in 1998, using the tagline "It's not one island. It's a lifetime of them", conveying the idea that The Bahamas is not a just a destination to visit once, but a universe of discoveries for a lifetime. 

In Spanish the message is presented as "Más que unai sla, un mundo de islas por descubrir" that translated is "More than an island, a world of islands to discover".

The campaign is planned with a media strategy that includes panoramic billboards, magazine advertisements, TV ads and social media.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investment and Aviation, Chester Cooper said that the multiple islands of The Bahamas are an extraordinary destination to travel and there is enthusiasm to narrate their story through media that connects with the audience the destination wishes to attract.

With the arrival of visitors breaking historical records, the aim is to maintain that momentum by sharing the wonders of The Bahamas with the world.

Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation, Latia Duncombe said that "A Lifetime of Islands" advertising campaign is an invitation to discover the depth and diversity of the Bahamas.

From the iconic pink sands of Harbour Island to the blue holes of Andros, each island offers something unique, and together they create an experience that makes visitors want to come back again and again. 

This campaign reflects Bahamian commitment to amplifying the full story of The Bahamas, story that unfolds with every trip.

The "A Lifetime of Islands" campaign comes at the time of great growth for tourism. The archipelagic country in 2024 welcomed an all - time record of 11.22 million international visitors, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation, representing a remarkable increase of 16.2% from 9.65 million visitors in 2023.

This strong tourism recovery with record –-breaking visitor last year is a very positive signal expected to continue into 2025, with the economy relying on robust tourism activity, particularly from cruise ships and related investment. 

Link 
https://infoturlatam.com/las-bahamas-lanza-campana-a-lifetime-of-islands/