Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister has said that for the tourism sector to be more vibrant, players in the industry must continually adapt and embrace new ideas and innovations.
“As the world rapidly changes and travel preferences change, our sector must continually adapt and embrace new ideas.
Whether it is done using technology to enhance the visitors’ experience or the promotion of sustainable and eco-friendly tourism, elevation of our rich cultural heritage or a new exciting way, innovation is what drives our progress,” he stated.
Mr Osei-Mensah who made the statements at the 2024 Ashanti Regional Tourism Awards in Kumasi, said in Ghana, it was evident that creative thinking had transformed the industry.
The programme put together by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) was held on the theme “Celebrating Innovation and Recognising Excellence in Ghana Tourism Sector”.
In all, 26 competitive tourism hospitality facilities were awarded, with nine of them receiving honorary awards for excellent contributions to the tourism industry.
The Minister said Ghana now had immense tourist attractions that told the full story of the cultural heritage, with local initiatives focusing on community-based tourism allowing visitors to experience the authenticity of rural landscapes, while empowering local communities.
More importantly, digital platforms had opened these destinations to audiences, making it easier for travelers to explore Ghana’s hidden gems, he added.
The Regional Minister said excellence was the foundation upon which innovation thrived, adding that it was about “holding ourselves to the highest standards of services, hospitality and professionalism”.
He advised Ghanaians to maintain the culture of innovation and excellence within industries, saying “we could push boundaries and dream bigger for what Ghana’s tourism sector can become”.
Mr Frederick Adjei-Rudolph, the Regional Director, GTA, reminded industry players to be mindful of the need to constantly abide by the laws, rules and regulations that governed the operations of all tourism and hospitality establishments in Ghana.
They must embrace the culture of cleanliness, regular maintenance of facilities and invest in professional staff delivering exceptional clients, he said.
These attributes, coupled with the deployment of innovative marketing tools were the best bets to help stay afloat and be continually relevant in the competitive and dynamic industry.
Mr Adjei-Rudolph added that safety and security were very paramount and crucial in this industry.
“One accident in the swimming, an injury on the staircase, a single theft in the guest room or an incident of food poisoning at the restaurant, could damage the reputation of our facilities and an entire destination resulting in low patronage and visitation.
We must all invest adequately in the safety and security of our guests and staff to always protect their emotional well-being,” he explained.
The Regional Director stressed that “Destination Ghana,” had enjoyed massive visibility worldwide due to the deliberate marketing strategies adopted by the GTA over the years.
He appealed to private sector industry players to complement these efforts with outstanding facilities and excellent services across board.
The Lancanster was adjudged the best Four-Star facility in Ashanti, with Golden Beans Hotel taking the award as a Three-Star hotel, followed by the Cofkans hotel at Obuasi receiving acknowledgement as the best Two-Star hotel in Ashanti.