All too often, the travel and tourism industry gets a very bad press. Tourism is in fact one of the world’s fastest growing and most important industries, not only has it been hailed as a driving force for socio-economic progress, it has also become one of the major players in international commerce and a vital source of income for more underprivileged countries.
The importance of tourism for international relations has long been recognised by the United Nations; World Tourism Day was proclaimed on the 27th September 1980 and has been a highlight on the travel calendar ever since. A worldwide celebration of culture, positive political relations and communication between countries, the past few years have seen the event take place across the globe in Portugal, Sri Lanka and Peru. The event seeks to spread awareness of the benefits that sustainable travel can bring, not just to the country’s bank balance, but also to the recognition and celebration of its culture.
This year World Tourism Day marks its 30th anniversary, the event will be held in Ghana, focusing on the theme of ‘Tourism –Celebrating Diversity’. Famous for its lively atmosphere and fantastically varied culture, Ghana is the perfect setting to embrace this year’s theme of sharing cultural wealth.
The theme focuses on the world’s many different cultures and the important role sustainable tourism plays in revitalising local traditions and encouraging future generations to keep them going. The future for the youngsters of Ghana is, however, a very uncertain one. Finances and government support are thin on the ground, which leaves many community members struggling to fend for themselves.
Those who do believe that tourism can be a force for good, gap year travel company Real Gap, offer the chance to make a difference through various volunteer programmes around the world. The company’s projects based in Ghana give volunteers the opportunity to work with local people teaching English, helping on an orphanage care programme, getting involved in community work or lending a hand with medical and physiotherapy volunteering.
For more active volunteers there are also a bevy of sports projects including; rugby, hockey, basketball, badminton, football, boxing and tennis, details of these projects can be found here http://www.realgap.co.uk/
Travellers who would like to find out more about all of Real Gap’s Ghana programmes can visit http://www.realgap.co.uk/
