GTA to award contributors to tourism development

The 2013 National Tourism Awards has been launched in Kumasi with a call on players in the industry to strive for excellence.

Mr Kojo Bonsu, Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), in a speech read on his behalf, identified the tourism sector as an area with the potential to transform Ghana's economy if given the needed attention.

He said it is imperative that the sector is repositioned and allocated more funds to strengthen monitoring and evaluation. It must also adhere to regulatory standards and development of tourists attraction sites.

Mr Bonsu also advocated regular training of employees in the sector to keep them abreast of their responsibilities and modern practices.

It is estimated that revenue generated by the nation from tourism accrued to about 2.170 million dollars in 2011, while the corresponding visitor arrivals was more than one million.

This provided employment for some 330, 514 people in the hotel, catering, travel and tour industry, as well as the car hiring service.

The MCE urged decentralised assemblies to constitute tourism development committees to facilitate efforts by the government to address challenges impeding the sustainable growth of the sector.

Mr Sampson Donkor, Acting Chief Executive of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), said facilitators of tourism services, practitioners in the sector, non-governmental organisations and diplomatic missions amongst others, are expected to receive awards.

The ceremony slated for December 13 at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra is being funded by the GTA and Talent Marketing Limited, a private marketing consultancy firm.

Started in 1997, the Awards seek to recognise all those whose contributions had led to the growth of tourism.

Mrs Mavis Gyasi-Afriyie, Acting Ashanti Regional Manager of the GTA, asked owners of tourist facilities to be law-abiding.