KOFORIDUA, E/R. — The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has held the 2026 Eastern Regional Tourism Awards in Koforidua to recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations contributing to the development, promotion and growth of tourism in the Eastern Region.
The annual awards ceremony brought together tourism stakeholders, industry players, traditional authorities, government officials and other key partners to honour individuals and institutions that have distinguished themselves in the tourism and hospitality industry.
The initiative seeks to promote excellence, innovation and professionalism among tourism operators while positioning the Eastern Region as a preferred destination for both domestic and international tourists.
Speaking at the ceremony, held under the theme “Celebrating Excellence Beyond Borders: The Black Stars Experience,” the Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Jones Aruna Nelson, said the theme was more than a slogan, describing it as a declaration of Ghana’s identity and aspirations.
He noted that the Eastern Region serves as a gateway to some of Ghana’s most breathtaking natural landscapes and culturally rich traditions, making it an important destination for tourism development.
Mr Nelson explained that the theme highlights the need to promote tourism beyond geographical boundaries while striving for excellence that meets international standards.
He emphasised the importance of showcasing the region’s tourism potential to a wider audience and encouraging stakeholders to adopt innovative approaches to enhance the visitor experience.
Meanwhile, the Director of Human Resources at the Ghana Tourism Authority, Diana Owusu, disclosed that Ghana’s tourism sector continued to demonstrate resilience and growth, with the country recording approximately 1.4 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, compared with 1.3 million in 2024.
She said the sector generated an estimated 4.3 billion US dollars in international tourism receipts during the year, underscoring its contribution to national development and foreign exchange earnings.
Mrs Owusu also highlighted the growing potential of domestic tourism, revealing that more than 1.79 million visits were recorded across 55 tourist sites nationwide in 2025.
According to her, the figures reflect increasing interest among Ghanaians in exploring the country’s diverse tourism attractions, cultural heritage and natural beauty.
She called for continued efforts to strengthen the tourism industry, improve service delivery and encourage more people to explore tourist destinations across the country.
The 2026 Eastern Regional Tourism Awards form part of efforts to recognise outstanding contributions to the industry, motivate tourism practitioners and strengthen the region’s position as a major tourism destination in Ghana.
