ACCRA: The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has honoured 36 individuals and institutions at the 2024 National Tourism Awards. The event, themed ‘Celebrating innovation and recognising excellence in Ghana’s tourism sector’, acknowledged industry players for their exceptional commitment, innovation, and contributions to the revitalization of Ghana’s tourism industry.
According to Ghana News Agency, the awards featured 26 competitive categories, eight honorary recognitions, and two special awards. Recipients received a plaque and a citation, highlighting the GTA’s dedication to fostering innovation and excellence within the sector. This initiative aims to bolster the industry’s recovery post-pandemic and promote Ghana as a preferred travel destination.
Speaking at the event, Mr Andrew Egyapa Mercer, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, emphasized the dedication and hard work of those contributing significantly to national tourism development. He mentioned various initiatives implemented by the Ministry over the
years to accelerate growth in the sector and boost the economy, noting the importance of collaboration to promote tourism development and create opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
Mr Mercer reported that international arrivals surged to 1,148,002 in 2023, marking a 25 percent increase from 2022 and a 2 percent rise above pre-COVID figures. Domestic tourism also witnessed growth, with numbers increasing from 945,405 in 2022 to 1,407,709 in 2023. He reiterated the significance of tourism as a vital pillar of the economy, with potential to drive job creation, attract investments, generate foreign exchange, and catalyse socio-economic transformation.
He further outlined plans to build on these gains by enhancing engagement with the diaspora market, actively promoting Ghana in the sub-region and African markets, and establishing the country as a competitive destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.
Mr Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of GTA, highlighted the role of innovation in ad
vancing Ghana’s tourism sector, urging stakeholders to continue generating innovative ideas and projects to drive further growth. He noted transformative changes in tourism infrastructure, with new digital platforms enhancing visitor experiences and heritage sites being preserved and showcased in innovative ways.
He encouraged industry players to innovate and collaborate, ensuring Ghana remains a top destination for tourists worldwide. Some of the award winners included Labadi Beach Hotel, which won 5 Star Hotel of the Year, The Royal Senchi Hotel, 4 Star Hotel of the Year, and Sogakope Beach Resort, among others.
Tour operator of the year was awarded to Ashanti African Tours, while Satguru Travel and Tours received recognition as Travel Agency of the Year. The Digital Tourism Icon award went to SDK DELE, and Citi Fm/Channel One TV was recognized as Tourism Oriented Media.