He said the fares would be given to tour operators to add to their packages and sell to their guests adding that the fares were not usually found in the system but specifically for the operators.

Mr Tachie speaking during a tourism seminar and stakeholders meeting as part of the fifth Volta Trade and Investment Fair, noted that the fares were aimed at boosting tourism also businesses in the region and the country at large.

He said they realised there were no travel agencies in Ho and the arrival of Passion Air was not only bringing passengers, but creating indirect employment for the citizens of Ho since services of travel agencies would be needed in terms of ticket sales.

Mr Tachie said Passion Air was the first airline flying to Ho and they offered exceptional customer service, on time delivery, safe, smooth services and starting with twice weekly to Ho adding that Passion Air was not only lifting passengers from one point to the other, but also operated courier services from one airport to the other.

He said the flight services were during the day and could not operate at night because the Ho Airport had no lights to ensure the night flights adding that “once they (Ghana Airport Company Limited) give us light at the airport, we will operate at night.”

Mr Tachie noted that recovery from COVID-19 showed that Ghana had a lot of tourism potentials including; the Volta region which people could explore and Passion Air was the preferred flight experience people should have.

Mr David Adu-Bediako, Business Development Services, Ghana Airport Company Limited, said three key success factors for the operations of the Ho Airport were ease of travel, seamless connectivity and affordability.

He added that tourism, leisure and business, trading activities using Ho as a transit point to neighbouring Togo, Benin Nigeria and commuting were economic activities to drive route sustainability.

Mr Adu-Bediako said assembling and bringing key stakeholders together, agreeing to work together for mutual benefit and bringing together strengths and core competencies to develop, sustain and grow the route were steps to success.

He said ways to promote the route could involve a launch event, develop and market package deals, develop social media campaigns using an influencer or brand ambassador and plan mainstream media roadshows to sensitise the target market.

Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, lauded Passion Air for the bold step adding that the flight service was a greater opportunity that would lift the industry to another level.

Mr Alexander Nketia, Volta Regional Manager, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), urged tourism operators to take advantage of the opportunities and make good use of them.

He also urged them to register and follow right processes laid down by the GTA while urging Passion Air to ensure that Agencies they signed on board had the necessary documents.