The Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), represented by Prof. Kobby Mensah and supported by the Deputy CEO in charge of Operations, recently held an insightful engagement with Ghanaian social media influencer Joshua Buernortey Boye-Doe, popularly known as KalyJay. The meeting explored the growing intersection between digital influence and tourism development.
Prof. Kobby Mensah opened the session by recalling earlier days of Ghana’s tourism industry, when visa acquisition and international travel were much easier. He highlighted the transformative role of digital platforms in shaping today’s tourism landscape, commending KalyJay for his remarkable work online. Prof. Mensah encouraged him not only to continue but also to mentor younger influencers entering the space.
In outlining his vision, KalyJay proposed an exciting collaboration with GTDC to design immersive tourism experiences. One of his ideas involved creating staged experiences along different levels of a waterfall before visitors reached the main peak. Each stage would feature local cuisines, cultural displays, and interactive activities, culminating in a grand showcase at the waterfall itself. He also suggested curating group trips with influencers to make tourism experiences more engaging, relatable, and affordable for the average traveler.
Prof. Kobby Mensah welcomed the proposal, emphasizing the importance of influencers in promoting tourism products and services through the Ghana Tourism Marketplace (GTM). He noted that such collaborations would benefit both sides influencers gain visibility while tourism products receive wider reach. He expressed optimism that influencer-generated tourism content could reshape Ghana’s narrative in the digital space. The Deputy CEO in charge of Operations added a practical perspective, proposing the use of unique influencer codes for bookings. This would allow GTDC to track campaign impact and measure the number of visitors influenced by each content creator.
Expanding further, Prof. Mensah suggested that the Destination Marketing Awards could introduce a new category to reward influencers. A dedicated committee would evaluate content creators based on the type and volume of tourists they attract, ensuring recognition for those driving measurable results in tourism.
As part of the discussions, KalyJay was tasked to compile a comprehensive list of influencers, highlighting their audience numbers, areas of specialty, and styles of influence. He was also asked to consider hosting an interview with Prof. Mensah on his online platforms to promote GTDC’s products and services. While expressing interest, he suggested Olele Salvador as another strong option for such a feature.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to form a working team to roll out the collaboration. The first step will be identifying and engaging suitable influencers, supported by a structured influencer list to ensure proper planning and execution. Prof. kobby Mensah reiterated the importance of leveraging digital influence to promote tourism experiences, drive sales on the Ghana Tourism Marketplace, and position Ghana strongly in the global tourism conversation.
Story By: Lein Tetteh
The Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), represented by Prof. Kobby Mensah and supported by the Deputy CEO in charge of Operations, recently held an insightful engagement with Ghanaian social media influencer Joshua Buernortey Boye-Doe, popularly known as KalyJay. The meeting explored the growing intersection between digital influence and tourism development.
Prof. Kobby Mensah opened the session by recalling earlier days of Ghana’s tourism industry, when visa acquisition and international travel were much easier. He highlighted the transformative role of digital platforms in shaping today’s tourism landscape, commending KalyJay for his remarkable work online. Prof. Mensah encouraged him not only to continue but also to mentor younger influencers entering the space.
In outlining his vision, KalyJay proposed an exciting collaboration with GTDC to design immersive tourism experiences. One of his ideas involved creating staged experiences along different levels of a waterfall before visitors reached the main peak. Each stage would feature local cuisines, cultural displays, and interactive activities, culminating in a grand showcase at the waterfall itself. He also suggested curating group trips with influencers to make tourism experiences more engaging, relatable, and affordable for the average traveler.
Prof. Kobby Mensah welcomed the proposal, emphasizing the importance of influencers in promoting tourism products and services through the Ghana Tourism Marketplace (GTM). He noted that such collaborations would benefit both sides influencers gain visibility while tourism products receive wider reach. He expressed optimism that influencer-generated tourism content could reshape Ghana’s narrative in the digital space. The Deputy CEO in charge of Operations added a practical perspective, proposing the use of unique influencer codes for bookings. This would allow GTDC to track campaign impact and measure the number of visitors influenced by each content creator.
Expanding further, Prof. Mensah suggested that the Destination Marketing Awards could introduce a new category to reward influencers. A dedicated committee would evaluate content creators based on the type and volume of tourists they attract, ensuring recognition for those driving measurable results in tourism.
As part of the discussions, KalyJay was tasked to compile a comprehensive list of influencers, highlighting their audience numbers, areas of specialty, and styles of influence. He was also asked to consider hosting an interview with Prof. Mensah on his online platforms to promote GTDC’s products and services. While expressing interest, he suggested Olele Salvador as another strong option for such a feature.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to form a working team to roll out the collaboration. The first step will be identifying and engaging suitable influencers, supported by a structured influencer list to ensure proper planning and execution. Prof. kobby Mensah reiterated the importance of leveraging digital influence to promote tourism experiences, drive sales on the Ghana Tourism Marketplace, and position Ghana strongly in the global tourism conversation.
Story By: Lein Tetteh