Graphic wins Tourism-oriented Media of the Year

Daniel Agbenyega & Emmanuel Tawiah Forson / Daily Graphic / Ghana Dec - 02 - 2013 , 05:27

The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) was last Friday adjudged the Tourism-oriented Media of the Year (Print) at the ninth edition of the National Tourism Awards held in Accra.

The company received a plaque and a certificate for its immeasurable support towards the development of the tourism sector in the country.

The Labadi Beach Hotel was adjudged the overall best tourism institution of the year.

The Five-Star hotel emerged from a list of reputable tourism institutions to claim the coveted prize.

The event, which was instituted by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, is to promote standard and reward service excellence in Ghana’s tourism industry.

In an address, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said in 2014 the ministry would emphasise on standards enforcement, the marketing and promotion of Ghana’s tourism, both internationally and domestically.

“Good product quality is a necessary component of any sustained marketing effort and Ghana, as a destination competing with many others for its share of tourist traffic, cannot afford to a have a tourism landscape characterised by sub-standard facilities delivering services that do not meet international standards,” she said.

She said the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) had been charged to vigorously sanction all unlicensed and illegal operating tourism enterprises.

She said the ministry and its implementing agencies would facilitate and promote domestic tourism by encouraging social groups, including churches, trades associations, corporate bodies and Keep Fit clubs, to embark on tours within the country as key activities for 2014.

Mrs Ofori-Adjare commended all sponsors and stakeholders for their immense contribution towards the organisation of this year’s National Tourism Awards .

The acting Executive Director of the GTA, Mr Samson Donkoh, said there was the need to develop the country’s tourism potential to enable it to compete favourably at the global marketplace.