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Mr Isaac Nii Djanmah Vanderpuye, Greater Accra Regional Deputy Minister, has called on tourism stakeholders to pay much attention to the sector to enable it continues to support the economic development of the country.

He said the potentials of the sector were enormous and with the right investments it would promote the economic wellbeing of the people.

Nii Vanderpuye was speaking at the Greater Accra Regional Tourism Awards on the theme: "Rewarding Excellence Through Healthy Competition" in Accra.

He urged stakeholders to develop strategies to embrace the highest customer service to welcome investors into the sector.

He, therefore, encouraged the private sector operators to continue to collaborate with the Ghana Tourism Authority to promote tourism development.

The event gave out 19 competitive and honorary awards to individuals and organisations that have made immense contributions to the growth of the tourism industry.

The selection of awardees was based on a set of criteria including innovation and creativity, appreciable degree of customer service and quality of staff, general appeal of the facilities, sustainability of business and adherence to industry rules and regulations.

The Awards programme was instituted to acknowledge the efforts of organisations and individuals towards the development and promotion of tourism in Ghana.

Mrs Doreen Owusu-Fianko, former Managing Director, Ghana Airports Company Limited said the integrated development of the tourism industry demanded focus and paradigm shift, linkages, collaboration and concerted efforts by stakeholders.

She said this was the time for relevant government agencies, through the Metropolitan, Municipalities and District Assemblies to map out strategies to embark on community development, which would benefit the whole country.

She said the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and its implementing agencies together with its partners in the private sector have major task to spearhead this crusade.

She said "l know that given an enabling environment for business, the private sector will surely take advantage to invest in the industry knowing the prospects in the sector and the immense potential it has, to bring about prosperity."

Speaking on competition in the tourism sector, she said it drives success in the sector but it could be a fine line between a great environment and an uncomfortable one.

"Competitiveness can also hinder your culture if it becomes toxic with bad traits like undermining, backstabbing and a 'me first' mentality," she added.

Mrs Owusu-Fianko said to ensure that their team operates in a competitive but still in a healthy environment, players in the industry must introduce very clear policies regarding competition and ensure the transformation is communicated effectively.

She said individuals must know what behaviour was acceptable within a competitive environment and was considered undesirable or unethical.

The awards winners included Labadi Beach Hotel, Five-star Hotel of the year, Best Western Premier Hotel, four-star Hotel of the year, Oak Plaza Hotel, three-star hotel of the year, Airport View Hotel, two-star hotel of the year and Green Oak Hotel, one-star hotel of the year.

For the honorary award organizations include Tang Palace Hotel, Expert travel and tour limited, Alisa Hotel.

Other competitive awardees are Mr Samuel Nii Badoo, Tour guide of the year; Atlas Rent a car, Car Rental Company of the year; Tour operator of the year, Land Tour Ghana limited; Night club of the year, Hot Gossip Night Club; and the Budget Hotel of the year, JaneDavis Lodge.