Story: Samuel Nana Obeng, Ahomka FM/Ocean 1 TV, C/R 

Coconut Grove Beach Resort has been crowned the 3-Star Hotel of the Year at the 2026 Central Regional Tourism Awards, topping a competitive field of hospitality providers at a ceremony hosted on its premises in Elmina.

 Held under the theme “Celebrating Excellence Beyond Borders – The Black Star Experience”,  the event gathered key industry players to celebrate top performers contributing to the region’s growing tourism footprint. Welcoming the accolade, the General Manager of Coconut Grove Beach Resort, Mr. Victor Opoku Minta, described the award as gratifying but emphasized that it imposed a greater responsibility on the facility to continually raise its service standards. Mr. Opoku Minta noted that competition in the hospitality sector now extends far beyond Ghana’s borders to the broader West African market, requiring operators to innovate constantly to meet evolving client expectations. He also urged the Ministry of Tourism and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to address operational cost drivers in the industry—specifically highlighting water supply disruptions caused by road construction in parts of the Central Region, alongside high tax components embedded in hotel charges.  He added that despite these headwinds, Coconut Grove had introduced innovative internal measures to sustain seamless operations. Addressing attendees, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer  of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, stressed that modern tourism relied  heavily on overall visitor experience rather than standalone attractions. He urged operators to preserve and repackage the region’s rich culture, cuisine, and heritage. Mr. Aggrey further highlighted the transformative role of technology in hospitality:“The industry is moving into a new era driven by digital technology, data, and artificial intelligence. Technology will make it far easier for visitors to discover Ghana, navigate destinations, and access vital services”. According to the judging panel led by Professor Ishmael Mensah of the University of Cape Coast, winners were selected through an evidence-based assessment. Evaluation criteria included quality assurance reports, stakeholder and customer interviews, social media feedback, and unannounced surprise visits.The awards spanned four core sectors: Accommodation, Food and Beverage, Travel Services, and Media. Highlighting the region’s profile, Regional Director Charles Buabin revealed that the Central Region hosts 387 of the country’s 7,109 licensed hospitality enterprises.  He noted that key local landmarks—including Kakum National Park, Cape Coast Castle, and Elmina Castle—remain among Ghana’s top 10 most visited attractions, securing the region’s position as the second most visited in the nation. With regional honours secured, Coconut Grove Beach Resort and fellow award recipients now set their sights on representing the Central Region at the upcoming National Tourism Awards.