B/A hold Tourism Awards Night

Sunyani, May 2, GNA - Mr. Edwin Owusu-Mensah, Acting Deputy Executive Director/Operation, of Ghana Tourist Board has urged the business community

in Brong Ahafo to invest in the region's immense tourist potentials. He stressed that Brong Ahafo "is a central focal point of visitors interest in Ghana, providing a lot of interesting tourist attractions and sites to tourists and visitors alike".

He was speaking at the seventh Brong Ahafo Regional tourism awards night at the weekend in Sunyani.

"It is extremely important for stakeholders in the industry, including practitioners, implementers and regulatory bodies and opinion leaders to put all hands on deck to ensure that standards are maintained and improved further", he stressed. Mr. Owusu -Mensah emphasized that the region was one where land use plans had been prepared to ensure the development of multi attraction sites.

"I think this is a very big plus and I encourage each and everyone to take advantage of this and help to make Brong Ahafo, a leading tourism destination in Ghana," he said.

Mr. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister-designate expressed regret about the poor network of roads linking major tourist attraction sites in the region.

He admitted that most of the so-called lesser-known attractions like the slave route sites at Jinini, Sampa, Badu, Kunsu, Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, Buoyem and Fullar Waterfalls could not be easily reached.

The Regional Minister however, gave assurance that the Regional Coordinating Council would endeavour to put the rehabilitation of the roads on the priority list for upgrading to make them more motorable and accessible.

Mr. Baffour-Awuah appealed to trade associations like hoteliers association, restaurants association and traditional caterers and drinking bar operators to adopt more professional and internationally acceptable standards and ways to upgrade their facilities and services.

"It is fine enough to have a beautiful building but you must endeavour to maintain it at all times. It is also not enough to employ handsome men and beautiful ladies-these persons, be they cooks, waiters, managers or housekeepers must be trained and retrained to provide satisfactory services to your customers", he added.

Mr. Francis Tapena, Acting Brong Ahafo Regional Manager of Ghana Tourist Board, noted that the region abounds with world-class tourist attractions and funds were being sourced to develop some of them. He said tourist receptive facilities were being constructed at the late Dr K.A. Busia's gravesite at Wenchi, Kintampo, Tano sacred grove and Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary.

Eleven stakeholders in the tourism industry who have contributed substantially to the growth and the development of the tourism and travel industry during the year 2005 received plagues, citations and certificates.

Eusbett Hotel received the highest award for being the best accommodation establishment of the year, moving from two to three Star Hotel award.