He again pleaded with government to wave off the duties on the importation of solar panels to encourage the use of solar power in the hospitality industry.

Mr. Bennett made the appeal when he spoke on behalf of award winners of the 2017 Brong-Ahafo Regional tourism awards night, organised by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in Sunyani, on the theme “Promoting Responsible Tourism.”

The Eusbett Hotel, the only three-star facility in the region, received the highest number of awards, including the best accommodation and services provider of the year. Mr. Bennett observed the hospitality industry had been recognised as the fourth highest foreign exchange earner for the country, saying that it has contributed to the springing up of tourism facilities in the region, whilst existing ones had also been upgraded with improved services.

He entreated managers and staff in the industry to be more professional to meet international standards and ensure the provision of satisfactory services to their clients. Mr. Bennett commended the GTA for the introduction of the award scheme, saying it had awakened the consciousness of operators to deliver quality services.

He gave the assurance that they would make the efforts to always adhere to best practices in the industry to meet the expectations of clients. Mr. Kwabena Appiagyei, the Acting Regional Manager of GTA, expressed satisfaction that service delivery by industry players had improved tremendously in the region.

He noted that the criteria for the selection of winners revolved around quality customer service, workplace safety standards, positive fulfillment of statutory regulations, excellent cooking, decent facilities, conformity to laid-down classification standards and corporate social responsibility fulfillment.

Acting GTA Regional Manager expressed the hope that the award scheme would motivate and inspire operators to improve on the quality of their services to make the region, the best tourism destination in the country.  

Mr. Appiagyei said poor road network was impeding the growth of the tourism industry and the needed revenue and therefore appealed to government to rehabilitate the roads to attract more tourists to the region.

Some honorary awards were given to distinguished personalities who have contributed substantially to the growth and development of the industry in the region.   The awardees, who received citations and plaques, included Mr. Bennett, Nana Apenteng Gyeabour, CEO of Encom Hotel in Techiman, and Mr. Ransford Antwi, CEO of Suncity FM Radio Limited in Sunyani.