Accra, Sept 26, GNA - The Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) and the Ministry of Tourism last night honoured 39 companies and individuals for their meritorious support to the development of the tourism industry over the past year.

This was at the Third National Tourism Awards Night organised by the GTB and the sector ministry in Accra. The awards were in two categories - the competitive and honorary. Mrs Doreen Owusu Fianko, Acting Executive Director of the GTB, said awards for the competitive category were meant for tourism industry players.

Those for the honorary category went to the regions, districts, communities, corporate bodies and individuals whose activities had impacted positively on tourism development in Ghana.

Recipients in the hotel sector were Volta Hotel, Akosombo, which won Hotel of the Year Award in the three-five star category for the third time running, with the one-two star category award going to Coconut Grove Beach Resort, Elmina, in the Central Region.

Sand Gardens Hotel in Bolgatanga won the budget category award. Mrs Anna Mireku of Golden Tulip Hotel, Accra, was adjudged the best housekeeper of the year while Mr Stuart Chase, General Manager of Labadi Beach Hotel won the host of the year award. Concept and Innovation of Smart Travel Club International won the Tourism Marketing Campaign of the year award.

The Western Region was honoured for being the most exemplary region in tourism promotion while the Ejisu-Juaben District Assembly was picked for their initiative in tourism promotion.

Mr Tom Sheriff, General Manager of Golden Tulip Hotel, was adjudged the best individual initiative for promotion of tourism. Ghana Airways was honoured for its support to tourism promotion in Ghana while Mr Osei Kuffour of Bayern Munich FC., Germany, received the exemplary marketer of Ghana through sports award.

TV3 and Rex Omar received the tourism oriented media organisation and music personality of tourism of the year award respectively.