By George Ernest Asare
THE Sunyani Municipality is slowly but steadily emerging as the destination with the most tourism potential in the Forest Zone of Ghana, which according to the Ghana Tourist Board(GTB), comprises the Eastern, Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions.
Apart from being adjudged the cleanest municipality for 2007 due to its efficient and effective traffic and sanitation management, Sunyani also swept most of the 8th Zonal Tourism Awards organised for the Forest Zone at the Golden Tulip, Kumasi City Hotel last weekend.
The Zonal Awards was part of the activities of the GTB to reward excellence and professionalism in the tourist industry as a way of facilitating the positioning of Ghana as a competitive destination for both domestic and international tourists.
The Sunyani Municipality succeeded in winning honours in all the three categories of the GTB excellence awards to prove that with time, it would emerge as the most attractive tourist destination centre for both domestic and international tourists.
For her prize of being adjudged the most cleanest Municipality in the Forest Belt, the GTB has assured to erect a giant bill board, at the outskirts of Sunyani to create awareness among the travelling public, indicating the uniqueness of Sunyani, in terms of its serene atmosphere, clean environment and comfort enjoyed when travelling through its principal streets.
Other awards won by Sunyani which came with a lot of attractive packages included the Guest House of the Year which went to Morinest Guest House, The One-Star Hotel of the Year award went to Regent Resorts, and The Two-Star Hotel of the Year was won by Eusbett Hotel.
Kumasi did not win any award in the A category of the GTB awards where accommodation facilities dominated, but the Metropolis swept most of the B and C categories where culinary services and Travel and Tours agencies operated.
According to the GTB, the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi attracted the most domestic and international tourists in 2007 and was therefore honoured with a half page advertisement on the GTB website.
St Michael Car Rentals, also based in Kumasi was adjudged the Car Rental Agency for 2007. Mr Sly Hutchison, a Kumasi based tour guide was adjudged the Tour Guide of the Year. He received a plague and a two-week stay at the plush African Regent Hotel, Accra.The Tourism Retail Outlet of the Year was won by Aid to Artisans Ghana, Kumasi.
Kumasi also won almost all the awards in the B category where quality culinary services were offered tourists. The Fast Food Establishment of the Year went to Foods Inn, Kumasi, while that of Traditional Caterer of the Year went to Confidence also in Kumasi.
Morti Mahal Restaurant in Kumasi was also adjudged The Restaurant Grade One of the Year award. Linda D'or at Bunso junction and Kyidom restaurant in Nkawkaw all in the Eastern region won the The Best Restaurant Grade Two and Three awards respectively.
Other award winners included Washington View Hotel at Ejisu in the Ashanti region adjudged the Budget hotel of the year and the Kyidom Restaurant at Nkwawkaw in the Eastern region also received the restaurant Grade three of the year award.
Speaking at the ceremony Mr. Martin Mireku, Executive Director said the National Tourism Awards was aimed at rewarding excellence and professionalism in the industry to facilitate the positioning of Ghana as a competitive destination for both domestic and international tourists.
He called on practitioners to ensure good customer service delivery at all levels of customer service delivery.
The highest award, the Three Star Hotel Award for 2007, was won by Volta Hotel, Akosombo in the Eastern Region.
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