Commemoration and commodification: slavery heritage, Black travel and the #YearofReturn2019 in Ghana

Figures & data

Table 1. Overview of themes in relation to sample tweets and sample in-vivo codes.

Sample Tweets	Sample In Vivo Codes	Theme
Yesterday the 2nd Ghana-Centre of the World Golf Tournament was launched at the Tema City Golf Club. It will see top golfers from converge on Ghana as part of the Year of Return, Ghana2019 celebrations. #yearofreturn #golf #golftournament #sport #centreoftheworld #visitGhana https://t.co/rA3jHHNkQg See additional sample tweets in the manuscript	#YOR2019 as a year-long campaign of events #YOR2019 festival train Ghana Center of the World Golf Tournament	The eventification and festivalisation of slavery heritage tourism
As we keep counting the thousands who are visiting Ghana in this ‘Year of Return’, we cannot help but also acknowledge the many influential personalities who are also arriving. Today we welcomed @IAmSteveHarvey at the Du Bois Centre, #Accra. #yearofreturn #ghana2019 #brafie https://t.co/TJcrxZcxez @TrueKofi, reigning @WWE champion arrives #Kotoka to a huge crowd with drumming and dancing for the #KofiKingstonHomecoming… Kofi is in #Ghana as part of the #YearOfReturn #Ghana2019 celebration. #Brafie #LetsGoGhana https://t.co/rruFw004gG See additional sample tweets in the manuscript	African-America stars in Ghana African Americans in Ghana Kofi Kingston WWF champion #YOR2019 Hollywood Stars International stars arriving for #YOR2019 Influential personalities Celebrity marketing Essence magazine endorsement of destination Ghana	Celebrity co-production of YOR2019 experiences through social media
Several business opportunities exist in #Ghana for the diasporan looking to explore. Diaspora Business Breakfast by @gipcghana and @beyondthereturn is the platform to discuss and address all your concerns. Read more: https://t.co/mhu3ZWcGpw #InvestGhana #BeyondTheReturn https://t.co/EowXcC8hy2 The 4th Annual Diaspora Drive is coming on at the @kempinskiACC on December 21, 2020. Featuring conversations with the diaspora on business, life, career, networking and so much more. #DecemberInGH Call [phone] for tickets and follow @diaspora_drive #beyondthereturn https://t.co/APR57BvRtq See additional sample tweets in the manuscript	#Beyondthereturn #Beyondthereturn as a 10 year strategy with 7 pillars 7 pillars of #Beyondthereturn Diaspora Business Breakfast Meeting Economic and business tourism promotion Investing in Ghana Investment opportunities	Pivoting from a predominantly slavery heritage destination to a destination that focuses on other touristic and business travel

Figure 1. The commemoration-commodification continuum.

Figure 2. Uneven spatial geographies of YOR2019 events and festivals (colour).

Figure 3. Gathering showing the burial of an unknown enslaved African.