As part of the Ghana Week DC activities, the Hospitality Travel & Tour B2B Forum took place at the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C., on October 8, 2024, bringing together key players in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. The event served as a platform for stakeholders from Ghana and the U.S. diaspora to explore business opportunities, exchange ideas, and form strategic partnerships aimed at boosting tourism between the two countries.

The forum featured an impressive lineup of dignitaries and industry leaders who emphasized the importance of building stronger ties between Ghana and the U.S. diaspora through tourism. Among those in attendance were, H.E. Hajia Alima Mahama, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America. Hon. Carlos Ahenkorah, Ghana Member of Parliament, John Agbeko, Ghana Tourism Authority Board Member, Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Kwadwo Antwi, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Development Company, Annabelle McKenzie, Director of the Beyond the Return Secretariat, Paxton Baker, CEO of LIQUID SOUL-DC, Alisa Asamoah, President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), Members of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana, Representatives from Lifestyle Property Expo, and Representatives from PKB Enterprises

The event featured a keynote address from Ghana’s Ambassador, H.E. Hajia Alima Mahama, and other key officials who highlighted Ghana’s commitment to expanding its tourism industry. With Ghana continuing to attract attention through initiatives like Beyond the Return, the forum was a strategic opportunity for industry stakeholders to develop partnerships that would enhance the tourism experience for visitors from the U.S., especially those of African descent.

One of the forum’s key messages was the potential for Ghana to become a top destination for cultural and heritage tourism. Attendees at the B2B Forum had the chance to network with travel and tour operators, hoteliers, investors, and tourism experts. 

The Hospitality Travel & Tour B2B Forum reinforced Ghana’s standing as a prime travel destination, particularly for African Americans and the broader diaspora seeking to reconnect with their heritage. The forum also served as an opportunity to promote Ghana’s vast potential in eco-tourism and its rich historical sites.

As tourism remains a key driver of Ghana’s economy, the partnerships formed during the forum will undoubtedly contribute to the nation’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a leading destination for travel, culture, and business.