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The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr Akwasi Agyeman, is confident that the country’s tourism industry will soon bounce back.

The COVID-19 pandemic which brought economic activities around the world to a standstill affected lots of industries and one of the hardest hits was the tourism sector due to the restrictions on movement that was imposed.

But with the easing of the restrictions, the CEO is confident that the once vibrant sector would soon recover.

Mr Akwasi Agyeman was speaking at the Eastern Regional Tourism Awards programme which was organized by the GTA.

He said some hotels had already begun showing signs of recovery from the effect of the pandemic.

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Nuertey Aryetey, urged private organisations to partner with the tourism industry to promote the economy, saying the government alone could not handle the vast prospects of the industry.

He urged the GTA and other stakeholders to harness expertise to bring direct investment into the region to promote tourism in both the region and the country for the "Beyond the Return" project.

Graphic awarded

Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) was honoured as the Print Toursim Oriented Media House at the 14th Eastern Regional Tourism Awards in Koforidua last Saturday.

The Daily Graphic, GCGL’s flagship newspaper, was honoured for its excellence in reportage and promotion of tourism in the region for 2019.

A former correspondent of the Daily Graphic in the Eastern Region, Mrs Naa Lamiley Bentil, was also adjudged the Print Tourism Correspondent of the Year.

Her story, headlined ‘Ancient Residence of Nana Akufo,’ as well as others such as on the uniqueness of Boti Falls and the abandoned Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm at Mampong won her and the newspaper the day.

The ceremony was used to honour individuals, businesses and organisations for their contribution to the region’s tourism development and promotion in 2019.

Held on the theme, "Growing Tourism Beyond the Return", the awards were presented in the areas of media, accommodation, food and beverage, visitor attraction and special recognition.

Other winners

A broadcast journalist and a former Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) Journalist of the Year, Mr Kwami Sefa Kayi, was awarded the "All Time Brand Icon of the Eastern Regional Tourism Awards".

Casa Bar and Grill was also awarded the Pub of the year, with Citi TV and Peace FM also winning the Tourism Oriented Media for Television and Radio respectively.

The Royal Senchi Hotel & Resort won the Best Four-Star Hotel Award; Capital View Hotel won the Best Three-Star Hotel Award; Dodi World was adjudged the Best Visitor Attraction Site; while Linda Dor Highway Rest Stop won the Best Highway Rest Stop of the Year.

Hill Palace Hotel, Krossova Leisure Centre, Charlotte Court Hostel, 3A's Guest House, Akosombo and Kingsville Hotel received special awards.