Tamale, Sept. 18, GNA - The hospitality industry in the Northern Region, has trained 80 people in various specifications as part of efforts to enhance and improve upon the quality of service.

The training, which was jointly organised by Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) and the Hotels and Restaurants Association, was aimed at improving customer care and income generation.

The participants were trained in front office skills, food and beverage service skills, food production (kitchen skills) and housekeeping skills.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the two weeks workshop in Tamale at the weekend, Mr William Ayambire, Regional Manager of GTB said the tourism industry is a global socio-economic activity characterised by stiff competition with demand for quality product.

He said the provision of good facilities and the delivery of services in a highly professional manner is key to quality product and urged the tourism workers to undergo training to acquire the necessary skills to improve their earnings.

Mr Ayambire said tourism is growing rapidly globally at 12 per cent per annum with Ghana receiving the largest number of visitors coming to Africa for cultural tourism.

He said the Region has its share of the growth in the hospitality industry seeing the springing up of many hotels and restaurants.

Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, Regional Minister said in a speech read on his behalf that the tourism industry has made giant strides to be the fourth foreign exchange earner for the country.

He said the Region's growth in the sector was also commendable haven grown from 13 units in 1996 to 120 units in 2011.

Mr Mabengba said the industry has a high potential in employment avenues, income generation and foreign exchange earnings and urged people in the Region to maintain peace and security, since conflicts drive away tourists.