TOURISM AWARDS CEREMONY ENDS IN TAMALE (PAGE 20)

THE 8th National Tourism Awards for the Savannah Zone has been held in Tamale for the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.
In all, 12 organisations and individuals received recognition in the competitive awards category, while the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), was declared the Tourism Support Organisation of the year 2007.
This year's awards ceremony, which was marked with glitzy and glamour, was the first of its kind. The ceremony had previously been organised on a regional basis by the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB).
Mariam Hotel in Tamale was declared the two-star hotel of the year 2007. The Tamale Metropolis and Ragems Enterprise were the other awardees, which received honours as the cleanest city and tourism retail outlet respectively for the Northern Region.
The drinking bar of the year went to Tenic-Monic at Tumu, while the Hippo Sanctuary in Wechiau was declared the Visitor Attraction.
The Budget Hotel category was received by In-Service Training Centre in Wa, the Best Landscaped/Ambience award going to Upland Hotel also at Wa and the Site Guide of the year award being received by Mr G.B. Bukari of Gwollu, all in the Upper West Region.
The Guest House and Traditional Caterer categories went to Samata Guest House and Hi-Taste Catering Services, both in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
Other award winners from the region were Tietaar Restaurant and Sira Hotel in the Restaurant Grade Two and One Star Hotel divisions.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, underlined the importance of the tourism sector to the growth of the economy, which, he said, had risen to the position of the fourth foreign exchange earner for the country.
“The continued growth of the tourism sub-sector that recorded almost $1.5 billion in 2007 could only have been made possible by the vibrant and innovative private sector that is ready to strike out and expand,” he indicated.
The minister also observed that the development of the sector was as a result of the government's strive to create an enabling environment for the private sector, which, he said, was the best renewable commodity that the country could rely upon for its long-term growth.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Executive Director of the GTB, Mr Martin Mireku, explained that the awards scheme was aimed at engendering healthy competition in the sector.
He said since its inception, the programme had led to an increase in facilities and services and also created awareness of tourism and its economic benefits to the country.