The Western Regional office of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has awarded some practitioners in tourism for their commitment to excellence in creating a more vibrant and attractive industry.
Ms Abigail Tagoe, Acting Deputy Director of Operations, GTA, said worldwide, tourism had been used as one of the drivers for national development as it accelerated infrastructure growth development, created jobs and incomes.
The tourism industry also conserves and preserves the environment and reduces poverty but the sector had not received the needed attention especially in the communities.
Ms Tagoe said tourism must first be enjoyed by the citizenry who could be better advocates in promoting the natural resources.
She said the crusade of domestic tourism must start in earnest to help propel the country into development.
Mr Micheal Kpingbi, Acting Western Regional Manager of the Ghana Tourism Authority, said tourism was the fourth exchange earner and had the potential of becoming the leading source of foreign exchange when properly harnessed and, therefore, called on policy makers to pay more attention to private public partnership to boost the sector.
He said a lot more needed to be done to attract both domestic and foreign visitors as well as investors so as to derive the full benefits, adding, “we need to put our hands on deck to ensure that required standards are met at all attraction sites and potential sites also developed to attract visitors.”
Mr Kpingbi encouraged operators to collect the one per cent tourism levy and pay promptly adding that the fund had the potential of providing antidote to the numerous challenges facing the sector.
Institutions honoured included Johkad Travel and Tour, Nzulezu, Metro Mass Transit, Sadeck Company, Sizzlers Restaurant, House Two, God is Love Chop Bar, Trust Cafeteria, Hans Palace, Akyeraba Hostel, Stellar Lodge and San Court Hotel.
The Tourism Ambassador of the year went to Awulae Annor Adjaye III, Omanhene of the Western Nzema Traditional Area with Raybow Hotel emerging the host of the year.
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Source: GNA