Catherine Afeku, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has been adjudged the Most Active Tourism Minister in West Africa at the African Travel Times’ 2018 Awards, in Accra.

Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, was also awarded the Most Active Head of National Tourism in the Sub-region.

The African Travel Times, the organisers of the event, said their aim was to identify excellence among the travel and tourism industry and encourage actors to be more effective and efficient in the execution of their duties.

Awardees in the Airline Category included: British Airways – Most Trusted Airline (International); Ethiopian Airlines – Most Reliable Airline (Africa); ASKY Airlines- the Most Reliable Carrier (West Africa); and Kenya Airways- Most Supportive National Carrier for effective promotion of the Kenyan Tourism Board.

The South African Airways won the Most Supportive National Carrier for effective promotion of the South African Tourism Brand.

In the Hospitality Category: the Royal Senchi Hotel and Resort in Ghana was adjudged the Number One Resort (West Africa); Eko Hotel and Suite in Nigeria won the Number One Conference Venue (West Africa); and Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Nigeria, won the Most Corporate Hotel (West Africa).

Awardees in the Governments and Agencies Category included: the Ghana Tourism Authority – the Most Active Tourism Agency (West Africa); while the Bayelsa State Government in Nigeria was recognised for establishing, the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality.

The Benin Republic and Togo were adjudged joint winners of the Authentic African Traditional Culture and Voodoo Capitals (Worldwide) award; while South African Tourism was decorated with the Most Effective National Marketing Tourism Agency (Africa) award.

The Awards the for Individual winners went to Mr Herbert Acquaye, former President, Ghana Hotels Association; and Mr Ikechi Uko – Outstanding Tourism Personality of the Year.

In the Ghana category, the winners included: Mr Bassem Toura, General Manager of Holiday Inn received the award for the Three-Star Hotel category; while the General Manager Award for the Four Star Category went to Mr Roman Krable of the Accra City Hotel.

The General Manager of the Five-Star Category as well as the Manager of the Year Award for went to Mr Michael Rathgeb, of Movenpick Ambassador Hotel.

Golden Tulip won the Brand of the Year Award; Movenpick Ambassador Hotel picked the Conference Hotel of the Year Award; Oak Plaza Hotel was declared as the Best Bed and Breakfast Hotel of the Year; and African Regent Hotel won the Airport Hotel of the Year Award.

The Tang Palace Hotel, won the Best Hotel Management of the Year – International category; and La Villa Boutique Hotel, the Best Hotel Management of the Year – Ghana Category.