iNTTA 2026 targets bankable projects to unlock Ghana’s tourism potential

The Executive Chairman of the Inter Tourism Expo (iNTTA), Emmanuel Treku, says the 2026 edition of the event will focus on turning Ghana’s tourism potential into viable investment projects to drive economic growth and job creation.

He said the expo would seek to connect tourism stakeholders, investors, financial institutions and entrepreneurs to develop commercial partnerships and investment opportunities.

Mr Treku said the country must move beyond promoting tourist attractions to fully harness the sector’s economic benefits.

The event is being held under the theme: “The 24-Hour Africa Economy, Tourism, Agribusiness, Digital Sovereignty & AfCFTA Industrial Acceleration.”

Mr Treku said Ghana’s heritage, culture, coastline, hospitality industry, creative industries and natural resources offered opportunities for investment, enterprise development, export growth and sustainable livelihoods.

“Our ambition is not simply to host another conference; it is to help create a practical bridge between Ghana’s opportunities and the capital, expertise, technology and partnerships required to realise them,” he said at the opening ceremony of the 6th Inter Tourism Expo and Conference, scheduled for October 21 to 23, 2026, at the Ridge Royal Hotel in Cape Coast.

He added that the expo would seek to translate discussions into commercial partnerships, investment proposals into bankable projects and the country’s tourism potential into measurable economic opportunities.

Mr Treku called on the government to treat tourism as a strategic economic sector that could support the 24-hour economy, strengthen local value chains, attract investment and create sustainable employment.

He said achieving these objectives would require closer collaboration among the tourism, finance, trade, agriculture, transport, infrastructure, technology and industry sectors, with the private sector playing a key implementation role.

The expo will also provide a platform for discussions on investment facilitation, tourism infrastructure, skills development, access to finance, destination readiness and digital innovation.

Cape Coast will host the main conference, with additional engagements planned for Greater Accra and the Savannah Region.

Site visits to the Savannah Region are scheduled for October 25 and 26, with activities to be hosted by the Yagbonwura, the overlord of Gonja land, to showcase opportunities at the intersection of tourism, culture and commerce.

Mr Treku encouraged investors, tourism operators, financial institutions, traditional authorities, the Ghanaian diaspora and international partners to participate in the event and establish partnerships that could support sustainable tourism development.

He said the ultimate objective was to position Ghana as an investment destination and make tourism a stronger driver of economic transformation.