By Kingsley Mamore, GNA
Worawora (O/R), Sept 5, GNA – The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has called for a stronger partnership among government, tourism operators, businesses and other stakeholders to build a world- class, competitive, sustainable and inclusive tourism industry.
A speech delivered on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Maame Efua Houadjeto, said achieving that ambition required continuous investment in human capital, innovation, technology and service delivery, while ensuring that Ghana’s cultural heritage, hospitality and other tourism assets were professionally packaged and promoted.
Mrs Houadjeto made the call at the 2026 Tourism and Hospitality Awards in the Oti Region, held under the theme, “Celebrating Excellence Beyond Borders: The Black Star Experience”.
The event brought together tourism practioners, businesses, institutions and other stakeholders to recognise individuals and organizations whose contributions had helped promote and strengthen Ghana’s tourism and Hospitality industry.
She said the Black Star Experience was more than a theme for the celebration, describing it as a statement of intent to position Ghana as a destination of choice on the global tourism market.
According to her, tourism offered a unique platform through which Ghana could showcase its culture, history, creativity, hospitality, environment and people, stressing that the quality of the visitor experience remained central to the success of the industry.
She acknowledged the contributions of hoteliers, tour operators, tour guides, restaurateurs, attractions managers, creative entrepreneurs, transport operators, event organisers, media professionals and other tourism practitioners in shaping the country’s tourism experience.
“Tonight is not simple about handing out awards, it is about celebrating the people behind the experience,” Mrs Houadjeto added.
The CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority said the awards were intended to recognise measurable achievement, dedication, innovation and commitment to delivering quality tourism experiences.
She urged tourism practitioners to move beyond business as usual and continuously seek innovative ways to improve the quality and competitiveness of their services.
Mr John Kwadwo Gyapong, the Oti Regional Minister, commended the Ghana Tourism Authority and other stakeholders for their efforts towards strengthening the sector and congratulated the award recipients for their dedication, creativity and commitment to advancing tourism in the region.
The Minister said the theme for the celebration, “Celebrating Excellence Beyond Borders: The Black Star Experience,” was timely, noting that the Black Star symbolised Ghana’s identity, culture, pride and aspirations on the international stage.
Mr Gyapong said the achievements of Ghanaians who had distinguished themselves internationally demonstrated that excellence nurtured locally could attain global recognition.
He therefore urged stakeholders to apply the same principle to tourism by developing Oti’s attractions into distinctive experiences capable of competing for attention with destinations within Ghana and beyond.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah /Kenneth Odeng Adade