For the 16th time Ghana’s tourism and industry players converged to reward and celebrate excellence at the 2019 National Tourism awards at the country’s National Theatre in Accra last Friday, November 6th 2020.
The onset of Covid-19 had forced the postponement of the event from March this year.
CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman in his address encouraged the tourism fraternity to look forward to better days ahead as businesses begin to pick up from the ravages of the Coronavirus pandemic. He said with an increase of 18% tourism arrivals in 2019 as a result of the Year of Return campaign, the numbers had been expected to increase this year with the Beyond the Return.
“Although we are not out of the Covid-19 woods yet, latest tourism figures in hotel occupancy, arrivals and visits to tourist sites give us hope that the sector may rebound earlier than expected.
“Tonight we celebrate the reliance of tourism and if we pull together as one industry, we will survive and get our industry back,” he said.
The awards’ ceremony was interspersed with breathtaking performances from the National Dance Company and the undisputed King of stage performance, Samini who gave several renditions of his popular hit songs. Comedian Foster Romanus also ensured that audience had a great laugh with his stand-up act.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi revealed that Ghana’s tourism recorded its highest revenue yet with $3.312 billion last year with about 1.13 million international arrivals.
She said although the quest to build on these gains had been hampered by Covid-19, the Ministry and its agencies will seek to identify business models that aim at revitalizing the tourism and hospitality sector to ensure a boost post Covid-19.
Oteng-Gyasi urged businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector to keep enhancing the delivery of quality services to customers and tourists at all points of contact to ensure repeat visit. “The key to the success of every business depends on the human resource, therefore I urge business operators to empower their employees and motivate them to always put in their best.
“Government recognizes the challenge regarding retaining staffs in these Covid-19 times but is committed to supporting industry players with innovative financing schemes to protect jobs and livelihoods in the sector,” she stated.
Highlight of the awards this year included some winners retaining their lead from last year’s. They included, VoyagesAfriq as Tourism Oriented Media (Online), Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City as 5-Star Hotel of the Year, Atlas Rent-A-Car as Car Rental of the Year and many others.
Below is a full list of awards winners
Accommodation
5-Star – Kempinski Hotel (Gold Coast City) – Accra
4 Star – Tang Palace Hotel – Accra
3 Star – Aqua Safari Resort – Ada
2 Star – Grace Garden Hotel – Takoradi
1 Star – Asantewaa Premier Hotel – Fumesua, Kumasi
Guest House – West Wing Guest House – Spintex
Budget Hotel – Almond Tree Guest House – Elmina
Serviced Apartments – Red Mango – Takoradi
Hostel – Banvillas Hostel – Kentinkrono
Food & Beverage
Restaurant Grade 1 – Azmera Restaurant – Roman Ridge
Restaurant Grade 2 – Buka Restaurant – Osu
Restaurant Grade 3 – Hot Ernesto Restaurant – Takoradi
Fast Food – Papaye – Spintex Road
Airline Catering Services – Servair – Airport – Accra
Drinking Bar – Treasures Pub – Haatso
Traditional Catering – Agbenorxevi Chop Bar – Ho
Night Club/Pub – Crescendo Lounge & Pub – Labone
Travel Trade
Tour Operator – Land Tours – Accra
Travel Agent – Satguru Travels – Osu
Car Rentals – Atlas Rent – A – Car, Dansoman
Airline of The Year – Air France – KLM
Site Guide – Robert Morgan Mensah, Cape Coast Castle
Tour Guide – Yao Dzide Freelance, Accra
Visitor Attraction – Cape Coast Castle, Cape Coast
Tourism Writer of the Year – Samuel Obeng-Appah, VoyagesAfriq
Tourism Broadcast Programme – UTV Heritage Ghana, United Television
Tourism Oriented Media
Television – TV3
Radio – Okay Fm
Print – The Mirror
Online – VoyagesAfriq
Consistent Payment of Tourism Levy – Accommodation
White Sands Beach Resort & Spa – Gomoa Fetteh – Winner
Consistent Payment of Tourism Levy – Food & Beverage
Moti Mahal Restaurant – Asokwa
Honorary Awards
Osabarima Kwesi Atta Ii Parmount Chief, Oguaa Traditional Area.
Nana Kodwo Kondua VI Parmount Chief, Edina Traditional Area.
Kofi Akpabli – Tourism / Travel Writer.
Hon. Mohammed Adjei Sowah Mayor of Accra.
Miss Delphine Brew- Hammond (Miss Tourism Ghana)
Sunseekers Travel & Tours
The Adinkra, Washington Dc
Panafest Foundation – Cape Coast
Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President
Media Majique and Research System, Accra
Kids In Tourism
