Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, Tourism Minister
Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), is working with various relevant stakeholders to set up a hospitality training institute to improve upon the quality of services in the country.
The Manager in charge of Research, Monitoring & Evaluation at the Ghana Tourism Authority, Spencer Doku, made this known in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, at the 2019 Regional Ghana Tourism Awards.
The ceremony was held on the theme: ‘Growing Tourism Beyond The Return’.
Mr. Doku, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Akwasi Agyemang, explained that the project was being funded through the Ghana Tourism Development Project, with sponsorship from the World Bank.
According to him, it will train, support and ensure service excellence in the tourism and hospitality sector in the country.
Mr. Doku reiterated government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the tourism sector to thrive and urged the industry players to diversify their operations in the aftermath of Covid-19 to bounce back stronger.
On his part, Henry Yeleduor, the Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, noted that quality customer service is key to attaining sustainable business practices and called on the industry players to invest, retain their clients and ensure sustainable growth.
“I wish to encourage all tourism practitioners to remain focused on increased quality of service. I also wish to challenge you to become ambassadors of service excellence in your areas of operation through skills transfer and mentoring other similar establishments, especially emerging businesses,” he said.
In all, 20 awards were given out for best tourism promotion, which included Akayet Hotel in Bolgatanga, three-star hotel of the year; Blue Sky hotel, two-star hotel of the year; JOCOM Golden, one-star hotel of the year; Zaare Hotel, Eborics Lodge, guest house of the year; Philmeek Catering Services, restaurant grade two, and Pacific Gardens, restaurant grade three.
The others were Mcclean View, traditional caterer; Rosyland Pub in Zebila, drinking bar; Gabriel Kugoriamo of the Pikworo Slave Camp, site guide; Sirigu Women Organisation for Pottery & Arts (SWOPA), visitor attraction; SHCSC Guest House, consistent payment of tourism levy, accommodation, and V3 Travel & Tours, tour operator.
Mr. Tanko Mohammed Rabiu of TV3 won the tourism writer of the year. TV3 took home the tourism-oriented media house, Blues International Dance Band won the best tourism programme; Madam Bridget Akasise of SWOPA, woman personality; Department of Hospitality, Catering & Institutional Management of the Bolgatanga Technical University won best collaborative institution and dedicated support to tourism, Fonky Grand Hotel won the new comer and Tap Hotel won tourism promotion of the year.