Greater Accra honors 25-plus tourism players

More than 25 players in the tourism industry have been honored at the third Greater Accra regional tourism awards ceremony for their contributions to the growth and sustenance of the sector.

In all, 19 individuals and institutions were presented with certificates of recognition in the competitive awards category, while two honorary awards went to the Ga Traditional Council and the Dangme-West Pottery and Bee-keeping projects.

Vicma Car Rental Company, Ga Dangme Society, Stable Travel and Tours, Traffix Restaurant, Domaben Restaurant and Tema Municipal Assembly received citations of appreciation. A special award, dubbed "Primus inter-pares" (First among equals), instituted for the first time, went to Expertravel and Tours company for its consistency in the provision of excellent travel and tour services.

Mrs. Doreen Owusu Fianko, Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), cautioned that service providers in the industry who would be found wanting risk being phased out in view of the competition on the international scene.

She emphasized that the current increase in tourist arrivals in Africa demanded that Ghana strengthened her competitiveness as an international tourism destination. Mr. Charles Osei Bonsu, Regional Manager of GTB, called on tourist operators to avoid complacency, and appealed to stakeholders in the industry to support the training of personnel in the hospitality services.