Accra, Aug. 13, GNA - La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in the Greater Accra Region has been named the hotel of the year within the four to five star category at the seventh National Tourism Awards held over the weekend.

Lorneh Lodge, in Tegbi-Keta in the Volta Region and the African Rainbow Resort in Busua, in the Western Region were adjudged the two to three and one Star Hotel of the year respectively.

The Seventh National Tourism award ceremony attended by the Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Ministers of State and Members of Parliament is aimed at rewarding excellence in the tourism industry. Other award categories include the New Comer of the Year Award, Budget Hotel of the Year, Restaurant Grade I, II and III of the Year, Fast Food Establishment of the Year, Night Club of the Year and Traditional Catering Establishment of the Year.

The rest are, Tour Operator of the Year, Visitor Attraction of the Year, Site Guard of the Year, Tour Guide of the Year, Tourism Retailer of the Year, Car Rental Company of the Year, Best Landscape Ambience and Travel Writer of the Year.

The award for Outstanding Service to Tourism Development and Promotion went to Mr. Ahmed Naaman of Kumasi.

Special awards were given to Barclays Bank Ghana Limited for Institutional support for domestic tourism promotion; Daily Guide Newspaper won the Tourism oriented media for print while Metro TV won for the electronic.

The Minister of Tourism also gave a special award to Ms. Felicia Obuobi, Director of the Centre for African Art and Civilization for Promoting Tourism as an individual.

Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Diasporean Relations, noted that tourism had a long way to go in terms of achieving generating foreign exchange in a sustainable way.

"Last year was a better year in Ghana's tourism, and there is still more room for improvement in the industry," he said Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said by rewarding people for excellence people in the industry were being encouraged to do more since Ghana was in competition with the world in terms of tourism.

The Minister expressed optimism that soon internationally branded hotels would spring up in the country in a few years and advised hoteliers in Ghana to stand up to the challenge of providing first class service to their clients to retain them.

He said tourism was generating more revenue for the country, which was an indication the sector was on the right track. The ceremony, which also attracted major stakeholders in the tourism industry, as over the years promoted healthy competition in the industry, resulting in an improvement in facilities and service. Cultural performances by various cultural groups and a musical performance by Obrafour, a hip life musician entertained the audience. 13 Aug. 06