Hall of Fame to celebrate tourism heroes launched
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MTCCA) and the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) have launched a Tourism Hall of Fame to celebrate heroes in the tourism industry.
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In line with that, a 19-member board, under the chairmanship of Mr Johnnie Moreaux, the Managing Director of Graceland Travel and Tours, has been inaugurated to select the awardees.
Ten individuals and organisations that have employed innovation, creativity and high standards to develop the tourism sector are to be selected and inducted into the maiden Tourism Hall of Fame event on October 14, 2016.
The launch
A ceremony to launch the initiative in Accra on Thursday was attended by stakeholders in the tourism industry, such as the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA), the Ghana Restaurants and Night Clubs Association (GRNCA), the Ghana Traditional Caterers Association (GTCA) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The Chief Director of the MTCCA, Nana Bright Oduro Kwateng, who inaugurated the board on behalf of the sector Minister, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the tourism sector was key to the development of the country.
‘Invest in tourism’
He, therefore, urged stakeholders in the industry to invest more resources and employ innovative strategies to grow the sector.
“There is a great career in tourism. What we need to do is build the capacity of human resource in the industry. This will improve the quality of our standards and invite more tourists to our facilities,” he added.
Nana Kwateng said it was important for metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) to roll out initiatives to develop the sector at the community level, saying it had the potential to boost revenue generation for national development.
Strategise to compete
For his part, the President of GHATOF, Mr David Nana Anim, observed that the current global competition called for countries to package their tourism sector well to be able to showcase it to the rest of the world.
In that regard, he called for the strengthening of private sector participation and capital injection into the industry.
“We need to put in more capital in the industry, which is a viable avenue to sell the culture, education and other potential of the country,” he said.
Mr Anim said the criteria for selecting the winners of the maiden awards, which ranged from contribution of the nominee to community-based tourism development, impact at place of work to professionalism and dedication to work, would enhance best practices in the industry.