Elmina, (CR), June 11, GNA- The plush Coconut Grove Beach Resort was on Saturday adjudged the best in the Central Region, when for the fourth time it won the hotel of the year award at the Tourism awards night.

The three star hotel, which was among 20 individuals and organisations awarded at this year's regional Awards Night, had as its prize, a wooden plague, on which the map of the region has been engraved with a citation.

The White Sand Beach Club of Gomoa Fetteh, won the restaurant of the year and the new comer of the year awards, while Kakum National Park at Abrafo, was adjudged the visitor attraction facility of the year.

The traditional caterer of the year award went to the African Pot Bar and Restaurant at Elmina, while the "Fair Hill Guest House" in Cape Coast got the best guesthouse of the year award.

In the honorary awards category, the Tourism Personality of the year Award was received by Nana Kwame Nkyi XII, Omanhene of Assin Akumanim Traditional Area, while the human resource development support for Tourism award went to the Department of Geography and Tourism at the University of Cape Coast.

The Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) District was awarded the best district initiative in tourism development, with Mr Hophna Jehu-Appiah, Deputy Regional Minister and Mr Thomas Ankomah, KEEA District Chief Executive, was among five persons, who received special mention for their contribution to the development of tourism in the region.

Mr Jacob Arthur, Regional Minister, said a lot remains to be done in spite of the achievement of the tourism industry in the region in the past decade.

In a speech read on his behalf, he appealed to stakeholders in the industry to collaborate to ensure that the region maintains its position as the best tourism destination in the country.

He said visitors to the Kakum National Park rose from 19,014 in 1995 to 61,274 in 1999, while tourists to the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles increased from 29,930 to 41,373 and 6,657 to 81,281 respectively during the same period an indication that the industry is growing in the region.

Mr Arthur asked the Ghana Tourist Board, Central Region Commission (CEDECOM) and the Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust (GHCT) and the district assemblies to co-ordinate their activities to market the region.

He emphasised the need to ensure good sanitation practices and asked investors to take advantage of the many potentials in the region.

Mr Edward Komla, Deputy Executive Director of GTB, asked people in the industry to take advantage of technological advancement to improve upon the sector. He cautioned illegal operators in the hotel industry and said the Board would expose their activities.

Mr Samson Donkoh, Regional Manager of GTB said the Board has embarked on a 15-year tourism development plan and called on stakeholders to collaborate with the Board to draw up an integrated tourism plan for the region.

He expressed concern about the inadequate information and promotional materials in the industry such as maps and brochures on tourist sites and appealed to the district assemblies and other stakeholders to help in this direction.

The occasion was used to launch the Tourism Focus Magazine, produced by the regional office of the GTB, which provides information on the region. The first copy was auctioned for 175, 000 cedis.