LOCALS were encouraged to utilise the opportunities and packages offered through Tourism Awareness Month so that they can have a greater appreciation for their country and become better ambassadors.

According to a representative of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ronald Smith, the organisation is attempting to foster a greater degree of domestic tourism by bolstering awareness activities. This is being done with the intention of getting more Guyanese citizens to appreciate their country.

At a tourism sector fair organised at the Giftland Mall, Turkeyen, Smith said: “We encourage the local tour operators to come out and share their offers.”

He explained that if there is a network established among the body, the operators and people, more persons would be encouraged to experience what Guyana has to offer.

Additionally, he highlighted: “We encourage them [the tour operators] also to do packages at discount rates so that the locals can travel and explore Guyana.”

Though support for the awareness activity varies, Smith said the intention is just to share with people all the unique tourism destinations Guyana has to offer and to network citizens with people that organise the tours.

Tour Guide and Marketing Representative of Old Fort Tours, Adrian Shiwram, shared, “[The company] is just grateful for the opportunity to promote what we do and allow us to show persons what Guyana has to offer.”

He shared that Old Fort Tours specialises in day tours along the Essequibo River, but it works in conjunction with other private companies, i.e., resorts, to facilitate comprehensive packages.

For him, he said that locals are the most interested in the tours and the support has been really great for the company, allowing them to run the Essequibo River tours every weekend and on holidays.

This tour company was just one of the few that came out to the awareness event in an attempt to attract supporters and generally edify Guyanese about Destination Guyana.