The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Mohammed Awal, has called on Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to help orient Ghanaians to get interested in domestic tourism.

Dr Awal said domestic tourism has become necessary because the coronavirus pandemic has affected the number of tourists coming into the country.

He disclosed that the industry will invest over $20 million to improve tourism and arts attractions and, therefore, the Ejisu Museum, Yaa Asantewaa’s tomb, Lake Bosomtwe and some six handicraft centres in the Ashanti Region, will be improved to create some 250,000 jobs and also contribute to the nations GDP.

Dr Awal said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene at the Manhyia palace in Kumasi.

For his part, the Asantehene noted that the tourism industry could generate income more than cocoa, if managed well, therefore, the high cost of hotels should be resolved to attract visitors to the country.

Otumfuo also encouraged art and tourism lessons for commercial drivers who make first contact with visitors for further advancement in the sector.