Ghana Tourism Authority to license all sites – CEO
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) is to certify and license all tourist facilities in the country to ensure excellence in the industry.
Mr Akwasi Agyemang, Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, said the move will improve standards of facilities and enhance clients’ experience.
He said this in a speech read on his behalf at the 2018 Volta Regional Tourism Awards, held under the theme: “Celebrating Our Heritage”, at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho.
The Chief Executive of the Authority said government’s tourism fund supported by the World Bank, will be continuously invested in developing and improving quality of sites to meet international standards.
Mr Agyemang said, visa acquisition is one area the Authority is working to improve upon and has engaged the Immigration Service on slashing visa on arrival costs.
He said, the Tourism Ministry is committed to establishing two hotel training institutes to cater for its service enhancement training component in an effort to realize the full economic potentials of a sector whose value chain could end the nation’s employment dilemma.
Mr Agyemang called for support from all stakeholders and asked players in the sector to strive for excellence and promote Ghanaian culture through local products and cuisine.
Mr Alexander Kwame Nketia, Volta Regional Manager, GTA described the region as a multicultural society with natural setting and scenery that tourists were attracted to, and underscored the need to make good use of the potential.
He said the GTA was considering setting up a destination management team to collaborate with other stakeholders in developing the sector, and called on operators in the region to comply with regulatory requirements and contribute their levies promptly.
A total of 30 awards, including honorary ones, were presented to individuals, companies, and facilities for their contributions to the sector with,
Mr Maxwell Amekpor, CEO of Shekinah Glory Hotel declared Volta Region Tourism Personality for 2018.
Mr Mitch Kobla Woolams, Proprietor of Aborigines Resort at Keta also won the recognition as the best Tourism Promoter for 2018.
Travellers Inn at Dzodze in the Ketu North Municipality won the award for Best Traditional Establishment with Continental Spot at Akatsi picking the Best Pub in the Akatsi South District.
Jaxn Pub in Peki won the award for Best Drinking Pub in the South Dayi District and Evergreen Spot at Juapong also crowned the Best Drinking Bar in North Tongu.
Club 3T, and Humble Pub were awarded Best Pubs in the Keta and Ketu South Municipalities respectively.
Kevi Shiloh in Kete Krachi emerged the Best Hotel in the Krachi West District.
The crocodile resort at Ave Dakpa won for the Akatsi North District, the district support for tourism recognition.
Volta Serene Hotel in Ho was crowned Outstanding Promoter of Tourism.
The Development Institute, a Non Governmental Organization was also recognized for developing sites in the region.
Mr Harrison Kofi Belle, Editor of the Lake Newspaper emerged best tourism writer, Volta One Tv took home the Tourism Oriented Media Awards, and GEK Media Communications picked the Tourism Event Organizer award.
Sogakofe Beach Resort was the “New Commer”of the year, Chances Hotel in Ho, best three star Hotel and Freedom Hotel, best two star.
Agbenorxevi Chop Bar in Ho was recognized as traditional catering services provider for 2018, KCS Fast Food as best fast food, CEPS Canteen on the Aflao border, the “grade three restaurant”, and Gold Finger, in Ho, the grade two restaurant.
The site guide for the year was conferred on James-Ocloo Akorli of Fort Prinzenstein in Keta, and Visitor Attraction went to the Afadzato Tagbo Falls in Liati Wote.
Tour Care International based in Hohoe Gbodorme was recognized as best tour operator, whiles the car rental service award went to Home Care Rental in Ho.
The event was graced by a wide array of stakeholders and personalities including, Isaac Dogbey, Ghana’s Super Bantam Weight Champion.
Source: GNA