The Bolgatanga Office of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) has been adjudged the Digital Tourism Icon of the Year, 2024, at the Upper East Regional branch of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) awards held over the weekend. It received a certificate and a citation at a ceremony held on the theme 'celebrating and recognising excellence in Ghana's tourism sector.' The citation said: 'The digital media has become one communication channel of information propagation making the world a global village. Ghana News Agency's quest on digital tourism information dissemination in the region is phenomenal. 'The key interest shown in marking and informing interested public on tourism products and tourism-related activities in the region such as festivals and tourism events are well noted and was obvious in the work submitted to the GTA. 'The Ghana Tourism Authority appreciate your contribution to tourism in the region and proud to confer on you, the Digital Tourism Icon of the year, 2024.' Mr. Wisdom Ahadzi, the Upper East Regional Director, GTA, said the region was endowed with lots of tourism potential when properly harnessed could be used as a catalyst for sustainable development. He said the world was becoming digital and it was imperative for stakeholders in the tourism industry to embrace the revolution, adopt new technologies and work collectively to develop the sector, particularly domestic tourism for job creation and community development. 'However, innovation alone is not enough; excellence must be our guiding principle. It is the dedication to quality service, the pursuit of customer satisfaction, and the passion for showcasing the best of the Upper East that would set our tourism apart,' he added. Mr. Moses Apiah, a reporter with the A1 Radio, a Bolgatanga based radio station, was adjudged the Tourism Media Personality of the year while his station, A1 Radio emerged the Tourism oriented media (Radio) of the year. The Other winners are Akayet Hotel, Four-Star of the Year; GANASS Hotel, Two-Star of the Year; Gold en Horse Hotel, One-Star of the Year; Rock Gardens and Eco Resort, Guest House of the Year; Johnass Lodge Zebilla, Budget of the Year and Extee Crystal Hotel, Consistent Levy Payment (accommodation) of the Year. The rest are Pilmeek Catering Services, Restaurant Grade Two of the Year; Comnem Catering Services, Restaurant grade three of the Year; McClean Catering Services, Traditional Catering of the Year; Plus 2 Pub, Drinking Bar of the Year; V3 Travel and Tour, Tour Operator of the Year, Bale Bazz Car Rental, Car Rental Service of the year, Sirigu Women Organisation for Pottery and Arts (SWOPA), Visitor Attraction of the year and Mr Issahaku Mahama of Chief Crocodile Pond, Paga, Site Duide of the year. Six other persons and institutions also received honourary awards and they are Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Tourism Support of the year, Kassena-Nankana West District Assembly, Tourism Collaborator of the year, Dr Asaah Sumaila Mohammad of Rock Gardens and Eco Resort, Tourism investor of the year, LaPa m Zorko Hotel, Tourism new comer of the year and Mr. Sabinus Chiravira, Tourism Personality of the year. Source: Ghana News Agency