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Guyana now boasts its own travel guide
By Priya Nauth
GUYANA can now rightfully boast of having its own international travel guide following the launching Thursday of the publication, The Bradt Travel Guide on Guyana, which takes readers from the colonial grandeur of the city of Georgetown, to the breathtaking beauty of the Kaieteur Falls, reputedly the world’s largest single-drop waterfall, and across the rugged savannahs of the Rupununi, arguably one of the most untouched areas of the world.
The launching took place at the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, on the lower East Coast, where a simple ceremony was held by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce to mark the occasion.
About the author
Giving a little background about the author, an American scribe named Kirk Smock, and how he came to take up such an exacting task as to write about Guyana, GTA Director, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh said it all began when he came here some time ago with his girlfriend, who was on a public health fellowship, and saw how little information there was about the country.
&He realised that there was little information on this destination… and that it was an excellent opportunity to write a few articles on Guyana. But he never thought he would write a book,” Haralsingh said.
For several months, he said, Smock, who was here for the launch, set about exploring his new surroundings under the guise of being a writer, but would eventually land himself two part-time writing jobs, which encompassed a wide range of topics, from jungle survival courses and rainforest treks, to aquaculture farms, HIV/AIDS and bird-watching.
It was while attending the British Bird Watching Fair in England in 2006 as part of Guyana’s delegation to spread the word of Guyana as an emerging destination for birdwatchers that he met ‘The Bradt’ team, who were themselves looking for an author to put together a guidebook on Guyana.
Smock, who previously worked on the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) project, then referred to as the USAIDS/Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS), until he became involved in efforts to promote nature-based tourism in Guyana through the Bird Watching Programme, now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York as a consultant. He’s still actively involved as well with GTIS and the Guyana Bird Watching Programme, Haralsingh said.
Promoting ‘Destination Guyana’
Turning his attention to the book itself, which he said is the first of its kind to have been published, Haralsingh noted the importance of such a tool to the development of tourism.
&Guide books are mediators, interpreters and communicators of places and their people, and play a critical role in shaping, guiding and influencing travellers,” he said, adding: “They are designed to facilitate independent travel by providing practical information on accommodation, transportation, attractions, cuisine, area history, geography, culture etc.”
Noting that the publication is already on bookshelves the world over, Haralsingh said: “This book is an asset and a strategic tool in marketing and promoting Guyana as the destination of choice,” and will go a long way in making Guyana more popular by creating more awareness.
Compass to exploring Guyana: the Amazon adventure
Tourism Consultant to the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Shyam Nokta, who recalled that it was just a few weeks ago that a new and improved GTA website was launched, said the launch of the travel guide was timely, since the country’s reputation for nature tourism is steadily growing and is now well-established as a prime bird-watching destination.
Today, we are marking another significant step in our efforts to promote Guyana as an international tourist destination,” Nokta said, adding that for Guyana’s first travel guide to have been done by Bradt is indeed an honour, since the company has the enviable reputation, going as far back as the 70s, of having traversed more than 100 destinations around the world in search of new destinations, particularly off-the-beaten-track ones like Guyana.
Noting that Bradt’s philosophy that ‘adventurous travel is more enjoyable if the wishes of the local people are taken into consideration’ was the framework within which the local guide book was developed, Nokta said that in undertaking the task, the company has maintained the high standard for which it is noted of providing accurate and up-to-date facts on the essentials.
&With its overview of history, politics and economy; people and culture; natural environment; and planning and preparation, the guide provides a useful overview which then follows with travel specifics on where to go, what to do, where to eat, how to get around, and all the vital bits of information that are needed,” Nokta said.
&What is impressive as well,” he said, “is the in-depth coverage, with excellent maps, of not only the main tourism sites, attractions and destinations, but the many remote areas of Guyana which have much to offer the adventurer or nature traveller.”
He also found it informative, enlightening, advisory, as well as astounding. 𠇌learly, what we see coming out from the author is not just an exceptional writing ability, but an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the local context and a particular enthusiasm and love for Guyana,” he said, adding that “for those of us who have known and worked with Kirk on this project, we can attest to his energy, determination and sense of adventure.”
He said too that even though the book -- which, in the course of his presentation he referred to as a “compass to exploring Guyana: The Amazon adventure” -- was devoted to Guyana, it has the capacity to also serve as a learning tool for Guyanese and visitors alike to know more about the country and to inspire them to want to learn more about it. He also touched on the global interest being shown in Guyana’s progressive stance on standing forests and its role in mitigating climate change, saying: “President Bharrat Jagdeo has taken the lead on this issue, lobbying at international forums and with world leaders and personalities.”
Noting that the President’s indomitable stance on climate change and other critical issues has succeeded in earning Guyana the kind of global recognition it craves, and that focus on Guyana’s tropical forests will in turn translate into interest from scientists, researchers and nature and adventure travellers, the young environmentalist said:
“We need to capitalize on these windows of opportunity to promote Guyana; this travel guide provides us with an important tool in our efforts to market and promote our country.”
Introducing Guyana to the world
Prime Minister, Mr. Samuel Hinds, meanwhile, commended the author on a job well done, saying that the publication will serve to introduce Guyana to the world at large.
Noting that tourism is one of the areas through which a country can grow economically, Mr. Hinds supported this argument by saying that of late, Destination Guyana has been featuring rather prominently internationally in the print and electronic media, such as the BBC Wildlife Magazine, the Independent, the Times online, the Bird Life Magazine and Wildlife Extra.
He also mentioned in passing the filming of a number of documentaries here recently, such as February Treks in the Wild World for National Geographic, and a BBC series titled, ‘Expedition Guyana’, due to go on air next month.
He, too, lauded the timeliness of the publication, seeing it as “a welcome addition to the increasing international awareness and attention that Guyana is receiving.”
A word from the author
Kirk Smock, who spent two and a half years before moving to New York last October, said the one thing about Guyana that has always fascinated him is how, in spite of all its grandeur and beauty, it still is an enigma to many. “Throughout all my travels, I kept wondering how Guyana has remained so unknown,” he said, adding that while many country’s attractions are their cities, Guyana’s is different because of the many resort destinations.
Besides bits and pieces about Guyana’s culture and history, he said the 296-pager also contains information on planning and preparation; bird watching and rainforests destinations; jungle trekking and wildlife; and Amerindian communities; as well as detailed maps and pictures selling Guyana as South America’s undiscovered gem. Also thrown in for good measure are pictures of what some animal tracks look like.
Still obviously amazed at what he has been able to accomplish, Smock said: “I did not think I would even be able to write 225 pages… but I was just constantly inspired by the beauty of Guyana and by the tourism offerings.”
He promised that the tour guide will be updated every two to three years as tourism here progresses, and that he will be returning to Guyana from time to time to pursue story ideas and to keep up-to-date on developments in the tourism sector for future editions.
Bradt travel guides
The Bradt Travel Guide on Guyana, which was published in the United Kingdom by Bradt Travel Guides, is available for sale at the Austin’s Book Store.
The first ever publication of this nature was written in 1974 by George and Hilary Bradt while floating down a tributary of the Amazon on a floating barge. In the 80s and 90s, however, there was a shift in focus, away from hiking to broader-based guides covering new destinations.
Today, Bradt continues to publish ground-breaking guides as well as other publications to establish holiday destinations, incorporating in-depth information on culture and natural history, with little tips and tidbits on where to go and what to see.
ECHO suggests climate change theme for CARIFESTA X
THE Directors and Members of the Environmental Community Health Organisation (ECHO) have proposed the inclusion of climate change as a theme for CARIFESTA X.
In a letter to the Minister of Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, ECHO, noting that climate change is all about culture, suggested that it could be a secondary theme, since the festival is all about the promotion of the unique culture of the Caribbean.
In this regard, ECHO is recommending that two fundamental issues be addressed:
(1) How much of Guyanese way of life would be lost to this phenomenon?
(2) How would climate change reshape life in the region?
Suggesting that Guyana and the region should give Guyana ‘tangible form’, ECHO said that there can be no better time to do so than at Carifesta X because it provides an opportunity for Caribbean artists to interweave facts, ideas, thoughts, emotions, colour and perspectives all together. It is of the view that this can help inspire passion and stimulate change, while allowing Guyanese to influence many more people living beyond our national frontiers about climate change.
ECHO is calling on all Guyanese to get on board and support the environment.
Grow More Food Caravan rolls to Berbice
THE Ministry of Agriculture’s Grow More Food caravan is in Berbice this weekend as part of intensified efforts to encourage farmers and producers of food to increase output in light of the rising demand for food both regionally and internationally.
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, along with several officials from various agencies in the agriculture sector will be interacting this weekend with farmers and residents of east and west Berbice as well as the East Coast of Demerara.
Quantities of seeds, chemicals and planting materials will also be distributed during this ongoing exercise which will see the Grow More Food Caravan visiting various farming communities across the country over the coming weeks.
Guyana’s proactive approach
The Grow More Food campaign launched on March 29, 2008, was the first of its kind to be embarked on in CARICOM, since it was recognised early by government that the increased demand for food also presented an opportunity for Guyana to increase its export earnings and capture a percentage of the more than US$3.5B regional food import bill.
Commenting on Guyana’s proactive approach to the global food challenge, Coordinator of the Regional Technical Co-operation Agenda of the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA), Vincent Little, on May 12, noted, “Guyana has taken the most coherent and aggressive responses in the region to deal with the rising cost of food and while this is recognised, focus is being placed on the role of the Jagdeo Initiative to reposition the sector in light of the current global food crisis.”
Farmers see wisdom in growing more food
Farmers across the country are recognising the opportunities which this new global food situation presents, and are willing to rise to the challenge of increasing their production, and by extension, their income.
Latchman Dindyal (exporter/farmer): Over the last several months the demand from the Caribbean for many of my products has increased significantly. These include plantains, pineapples and eddoes, among others. The major challenge I have encountered so far is sourcing the produce in adequate quantities. This is the main reason that I have decided to get back into farming to ensure I am able to meet the demands of my buyers.
Joseph Overton (farmer): After many years of being underpaid, farmers now have an opportunity to get competitive prices for their produce. I have increased by production since last year because several exporters I sell to have increased their orders. I would definitely encourage other farmers to do likewise since the market is wide open for more food.
E. Govindasammy (farmer): I have increased cultivation, especially over the last six months and still can’t seem to keep up with the demand from exporters. Although the cost of production for inputs such as fuel and fertilizer is very high, the higher prices being paid for my crops is surely worth the effort.
Government support
The Ministry of Agriculture, in recognising that support to both farmers and the farming industry is critical if the drive to grow more food is effective, is undertaking several initiatives to boost this campaign.
These include; the speedy implementation of US$21.9M Agricultural Export Diversification and the US$6M Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Development projects, increased investment in D&I with an average annual budget allocation of US$5M, enhanced extension and marketing service to farmers and traders, increased availability of seed and planting materials and breeding animals, and approval of all outstanding viable food production investment projects.
Grow food for the market
The market-driven approach which this campaign has adopted, seeks to ensure that increased food production is closely linked to what the market demands, and is not aimed at encouraging farmers to grow more of every crop. In this regard, it is advisable for farmers to contact the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) for advice.
Farmers are also being encouraged to submit their contact information to GMC for free registration on the Farmers’ Database which would enable the agency to make contact with you in a timely manner to share and gather information related to, among other things, markets for your produce.
For more information contact GMC at 87 Robb and Alexander Streets, Georgetown, telephone 227-1630/226-8255 or visit www.newgmc.com/www.agriculture.gov.gy. Text messages can also be sent to 691-0000.
Guy-American group to foster closer ties here
By Tangerine Clarke
TWO prominent US-based Guyanese, former Ambassador to South Africa, Mr. Leland Hazelwood, and Shanie Persaud, CEO of El Dorado Media and Marketing have come together to form an organization called the Guyanese American Business and Professional Council (GABPC).
The entity was launched at a gala celebration on June 6 at the Crown Plaza Hotel La Guardia, in Queens, New York in honour of the president of the borough of Queens, Ms.Helen Marshall, who was awarded for her outstanding contribution to the community. The occasion was also used to pay tribute to Guyana’s 42nd Independence Anniversary.
Emceed by Vice President of Maxim Group, Valance Williams, the gala commenced with the singing of the National Anthems of Guyana and the US by Guyanese Trenton Mack and Shirley Harper.
The event brought out some of the biggest names in the business community, and more than 100 people to savour a very moving programme that featured Guyana’s Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, Chairman of the Linden USA Fund, Dr Vincent Adams, and CEO of Young Americas Business Trust, Mr. Roy Thomassen.
Following the welcome by Shanie Persaud, who is the organisation’s First Vice-President, Dr Thomas Auer, the second vice-president, highlighted the importance of the grouping and the amazing benefits it could bring to the community and Guyana.
One of GABPC’s missions, it was learnt, is to facilitate, identify, expand and promote trade, investment and professional opportunities between both countries, and to encourage job creation and technology development.
To this end, corporate giants like the New Parkway Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, the New York Commercial Bank, Queens Long Island Medical Group, and the Queens Chamber of Commerce, have agreed to partner with the fledgling organization to help it achieve its goals.
Dr Auer, who sees the formation of an organization such as theirs as being a welcome opportunity to bring together the people from both countries, said the presentation of an EKG machine to the Linden Hospital was just the beginning of the entity’s long-term goal of forming linkages and networking.
Thomasson, on the other hand, feels that Guyana is full of potential, and called on the audience to contribute in anyway they could to the group’s planned programme of activities. GABPC works with members of organizations in “Guyana and in the U.S.A. to connect to a talent pool and network of executives to suit recruitment needs.
Other executive officers of the association are: Emmett Peabody, Treasurer; and Judith Balfe, Secretary. Board members are: Lata Singh-Vasconcellos, Dr Vincent Adams, Kent Subraj, Val Williams, Darshan Chickery and Paul Cheong.
Mr. Ramkarran, who was the guest speaker at the auspicious event, said he was happy to see the show of unity among Guyanese from all of the boroughs of New York by their presence at a function as important as the hosting of the group’s first annual network and gala.
“This level of interest in Guyana, and these important ventures have always been there, but is now more inspiring,” he said, adding that “…with the support of our American friends, I would like to thank you for befriending Guyana and supporting this organization.”
Ramkarran pointed out that the Guyana government well understands the patriotic commitment of Guyanese Americans to their adopted homeland, but that nonetheless “…we are pleased that the United States has accepted our citizens and offered them undreamt of opportunities.”
Commending those Guyanese who’ve sought to make hay while the proverbial sun shone but still remain loyal to their mother country, Mr. Ramkarran said: “I congratulate our people for seizing those opportunities and contributing in every conceivable way to the wealth and prosperity of the United States and its people. Guyanese-Americans are committed to their adopted homeland with patriotic fervour, just as they continue to love Guyana with that commitment and passion.”
By way of encouraging them to achieve their goal of forming strategic business and other alliances here in Guyana, he said: “Guyana offers vast and varied business opportunities and wide areas of investments” ranging from ecotourism, to agriculture, information outsourcing, light manufacturing, mining and forestry just to name a few.
“The growth of the economy, through the creation of a conducive atmosphere and expanding business opportunities, together with the objective of reducing poverty and crime and expanding social services including health and education,” he said, “are just a few Guyana’s immediate goals, the successful achievement of which are necessary for us to make our independence truly meaningful for all our people.”
“As politicians,” he said in closing, “we must reflect these aspirations, seeking at all times to achieve them and never forgetting our overall commitment to secure a better life and a united Guyana for all Guyanese.
“This mandate is dictated by the hopes, dreams and ambitions of our people. It must also guide always all our actions and policies.”
GT&T chairman new head of regional private sector body
CHAIRMAN of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), Mr. Cornelius Prior, has been elected Chairman of Caribbean Central American Action (CCAA), a non-governmental organisation that promotes private sector-led economic development in the Caribbean Basin.
Prior is founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Atlantic Tele Network (ATN), whose principal subsidiary is the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T).
A release from the phone company says CCAA is best known for hosting the annual Miami Conference on the Caribbean Basin, a forum which brings together senior public and private sector leaders from the hemisphere, including Heads of State, to discuss trade, economic and policy issues in the Americas.
Prior’s election took place recently at the organisation’s Spring Board meeting and briefing in Washington. He has served the organisation as treasurer since 2004 and is the successor to Mr. Jose Perez-Jones, a Senior Vice President of Seaboard Marine.
Commenting on Prior’s election, Perez-Jones is quoted as saying: “I am delighted to hand over the reins to my good friend and colleague, ‘Neil’ Prior. Having had the privilege to work closely with Neil over many years, I know there is no individual better equipped to take the organisation forward than he. He has my warm congratulations on his appointment.”
Prior, on the other hand, says he looks forward to leading an organisation which has done so much to promote trade and investment with the Caribbean.
An attorney-at-law by profession, Prior is a graduate of the Harvard Law School and has served as chairman of the regional telecommunications body, the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organisations (CANTO).
Sol América Airlines expresses interest in Guyana market
AS increasing numbers of tourists become aware of Guyana’s tourism product, airlines are recognising the trend and are coming on board to capitalise on this developing niche market. Sol América Airlines, a Venezuelan-based airline company has expressed interest in the Guyana market.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad met with two of the airline’s directors and reported that they were in Guyana to explore the best alternative for a connection between Caracas and Georgetown via French Guiana and Suriname.
Prashad said that they are in the preliminary stage of discussion and the airline will have to comply with the Civil Aviation Authority’s regulations in order to enter the Guyana market. The airline’s officials filed the necessary papers with Civil Aviation during their visit.
The minister noted that Sol América seems very enthusiastic and keen on creating the Guyana-Venezuela link.
The airline started operations in 1980 and began chartering flights to tourist destinations in 2001 opening new routes between cities in north Venezuela and Caribbean Islands to the south.
“There is a rush of activities within the airline industry in Guyana…and Sol América is one now that we are engaging in initial discussion…and once that is done the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce will work closely with this new airline to have this connection as soon as possible,” Minister Prashad said.
He indicated that as soon as the airline’s plans are approved by the Civil Aviation Authority the airline plans to start operations in Guyana.
The internationally known Delta Airlines started operations on June 1 from the JFK International Airport to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.
Skyservices, a Canadian airline company is expected to start operations on July 1 from Toronto to Georgetown while Zoom Airlines from the United Kingdom is expected on November 20 servicing the Gatwick/Georgetown route. (GINA)
Two injured in Albouystown shooting
THE police are investigating a shooting incident around 15:30h Friday in James Street, Albouystown during which 18-year-old Anthony Taylor of Adelaide Street, Charlestown and Troy Bishop, 30, of D’Urban Backlands were injured.
According to reports, Taylor was walking along James Street when three men on bicycles approached him, pulled out firearms and discharged several rounds in his direction. He was hit in the lower left leg and is now a patient at the Georgetown Hospital.
Bishop was also walking along James Street when the shooting occurred, but could not get out of the line of fire in time. He was hit in the right shoulder and was also hospitalized.
Police unearth Beretta in Albouystown
RANKS of a mobile police patrol responding Friday to a reported threat and assault conducted a search on a man in the vicinity of James Street, Albouystown, and found in his possession an unlicensed .22 Beretta pistol and one live round. The incident reportedly occurred around 16:45hrs.
The man was subsequently arrested and is assisting the police in their investigations.
Chopping suspect dies of alleged poisoning
A CANJE man who was arrested for allegedly chopping his paramour, a policewoman, about the body, died yesterday at the New Amsterdam Hospital.
Steve Bovell is reported to have died at around 02:00hrs. He had been admitted to the hospital after telling the police, following his arrest, that he had ingested poison.
Stay Bovell, the women he is alleged to have chopped on Thursday, is still a patient at the same institution. The chopping incident, the police say, occurred about 23:00hrs on the day in question at No 51 Village on the Corentyne Coast.
Suspect held in Friendship felonies
A 17-year-old is assisting the police in their investigations into a suspected arson on May 18 at Friendship, on the East Coast Demerara in which a 71-year-old woman perished, and an armed robbery in the same village in which the victim was a 60-year-old.
He was arrested yesterday on suspicion of causing the death of Dolly Trim and robbing Adora Evelyn at her Ogle Street home on May 31.
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