THE 8TH edition of the prestigious National Tourism Awards came off
last Saturday at the State Banquet Hall in Accra with an enlivening
dinner night.

The occasion attracted most players in the hospitality industry, as well as politicians, traditional leaders and members of the inky fraternity among other guests who came to lend their support for the occasion, organized by the Ghana Tourist Board in collaboration with Global Media Alliance. A total of 32 awards were given out that night; out of these, 9 went for honourary while the remaining 23 went for the competitive category.

Fiesta Royale Hotel, located at Dzorwulu Junction in Accra came tops in the competitive category, having annexed the 3-Star Hotel of the Year, the ultimate honor at this year’s ceremony.

Chances Hotel at Ho in the Volta Region was adjudged 2-Star Hotel of the Year while the Axim Beach Hotel, Villa Victoria W. Legon and In-Service Training Centre emerged 1-Star Hotel of the Year, Guest House of the Year and Budget Hotel of the Year respectively.

However, there wasn’t any award for 4 and 5 star hotel of the year. This, the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) explained, was because they were “unable to recommend any hotel due to poor reception services”.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Martin Mireku, Executive Director of GTB, indicated the awards were to facilitate the position of Ghana as a competitive tourism destination in West Africa and indeed the entire African continent.

Sounding confident, he said the “award scheme has been a contributory factor in the creation of awareness of Ghana’s tourism delivery and the tourism industry’s contribution to the country’s economic success”.

Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, in a speech, pledged government’s commitment to promote tourism.

According to him budgetary allocation to the tourism sector would be increased next year.

“Government intends to speed up a process of establishing a tourism development fund which will address the problem of inadequate budgetary allocation to the public sector for the marketing and promotion of Ghana as a preferred tourism destination,” he disclosed, while congratulating all award winners for their support to the industry.

On the fun side the colourful event witnessed some enthralling performances from the Abissa Band.

Other awards such as Restaurant Grade 1, 2, and 3 were won by Moti Mahal – Kumasi, Linda D’or Highway Rest Stop - Bunso and Kyidom Restaurant - Nkawkaw respectively.

Aphrodisiac Night Club was adjudged Night Club
of the Year, whereas Crab House took Traditional Caterer of the Year, with Drinking Bar of the Year going to Just Here Bar, Achimota.
Food Inn, Kumasi won the Fast Food Establishment of the Year; Tamale won the Cleanest Town of the Year; while Tourism Writer of the Year went to Kingsley E. Hope, Ghanaian Times, Kumasi.

Honorary awards went to Dr. Theresa Berko of Manet Properties; School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management; Cleaning Solutions Ltd; Dennis Klintings; Ms. Hannah Asomaning; Antrak Air; City Link; Mr. Jacob Oti Awere and Francis O. Tsegah, Ghana’s Ambassador to Spain, for their individual and institutional support towards promoting tourism in Ghana.

Sponsors of this year’s prestigious tourism event included Somovision, Coca Cola, Latex Foam, Voltic Mineral Water, Accra Brewery, Kasapreko, Golden Tulip Hotel, Fiesta Royale Hotel among others.