THE third publication of ‘Guyana – Where and What’ was officially launched on Friday with Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad, remarking that such a comprehensive and tastefully-presented handbook is particularly useful in helping promote Guyana as “a destination of choice.”

The cover of the new publication flanked by previous editions.

Published by the local firm, General Executive Management Services Inc (GEMS), the nifty little publication was launched in the boardroom of the Tourism Ministry on South Road here in the city, and comprises 136 pages brimming with information on “everywhere you need to go” and “everything you need to know” in and about Guyana.

Among the several new features this latest publication boasts are important background information on Guyana’s ambitious Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS); the many eco-wonders to be found here, such as the majestic Kaieteur Falls, the lesser-known Orinduik Falls, Mount Roraima, The Kanuku, and Iwokrama; the various town and village days, the celebration of which is becoming quite a popular trend these days; and a slew of local proverbs.

Fitting in well with Guyana’s promotion as an eco-friendly, adventure and nature tourism destination is the beautiful and captivating cover design depicting the Kanuku Mountains in the background with the Cock-of-the-Rock, the Giant Anthill and Jaguar and the Kaieteur Falls and Golden Frog as well as the St. George’s Cathedral superimposed on it, thereby giving the publication a certain historical flair.

Classy Guide’: Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad (centre) browsing through the third publication of ‘Guyana – Where and What’. Sitting from left are publisher Mrs. Gem Madhoo-Nascimento and Editor Kit Nascimento. (Photos by Carl Croker)

According to Mrs. Gem Madhoo-Nascimento, who, with the help of her husband, put together the publication, the segment on Guyana’s many eco-wonders will be a permanent fixture from now on, and that Guyanese living abroad have found the section on Guyanese proverbs quite interesting, since it tends “to bring back a lot of memories for them.”

Other contents of the book include the usual basic information one finds in such manuals, such as your Calendar of Events, Entertainment Guide, A Map of the City (which, in this instance would be Georgetown of course) going all the way to Houston on the lower East Bank, recreation, shopping, and sightseeing in Guyana.

Gem noted that apart from the regular features, the book also talks about fishing, birding, yachting, and the major towns to be found in Guyana, such as the Ancient County of Berbice, which is now made even more enticing with the opening of the Berbice Bridge, and The Cinderella County, as the Essequibo region is sometimes referred to.

There is also a comprehensive listing of restaurants, hotels, travel agencies and taxi services which many a visitor will find useful, Gem said, adding that she has even included a few pages for the purpose of making notes.

The book’s editor, Mr. Kit Nascimento, who gave a history of sorts of the publication, said the first version was launched in 2007 with 96 pages, while the second was launched in 2008 with 104 pages. Describing the new edition as an even “bigger and better version,” he said the idea is to afford anyone visiting Guyana, whether as a tourist, a business person or a casual visitor immediate, comprehensive and ready reference information about the country.

Extraordinarily comprehensive
Looking back at the guide’s steady evolvement over the years, Nascimento said: “It has been, I think for my wife, a work of love when, three years ago, we discussed the fact that Guyana really did not have what is an absolute essential, and that is a pocket guidebook to the visitor that had comprehensive information and quick reference information and attractive information about the country they are visiting, and that is what this book is intended to provide.”

He said anyone entering the airport who picks up a copy of the guide will have an “extraordinarily comprehensive guide as to where to go, what to do, where to find it, and what it is going to cost.”

Noting that the book also gives insights into a great deal of information about the culture of the country, Nascimento said he himself learnt a thing or two from reading the book. “If it can teach those of us who live here,” he said, “I am sure it can be of enormous importance to those who visit us.”

His wife also underscored the importance of such a publication to someone visiting Guyana, as well as the need for the business community to get on board. “It is very important for the advertisers to get onboard, so that we can continue this edition and, of course, more importantly, to increase the quantity of it,” she said, adding that the guide is distributed not only at the airport but at hotels, guest houses, restaurants, travel agencies and trade fairs.

Noting that it is her intention to print a maximum of 50,000 per year, Gem said: “But to reach that kind of quantity, one needs to double the amount of advertising, because the book is not for sale; it is free. So whatever revenue is collected has to come from advertising.”

Immense value
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad, addressing the media, noted, “Over the years, this guide has been of immense value and help to me as Minister.”

He insisted that it helpful since it captures almost everything that his ministry wants to promote in tourism and what people visiting Guyana would want to know about the destination.

“If you go through this guide, and if you trace our Tourism Awareness Month and what we have been doing for the year, every single event that we have captured, covered and promoted is captured in this guide,” he stressed.

Noting that the Nascimentos are the proprietors of the Hurakabra River Resort, he observed the promotion of a number of other resorts in the booklet and acknowledged the cordial atmosphere that prevails in terms of people who promote tourism.

“The more people do to promote the country is better for everyone’s business basically, and I am happy that I am seeing so many other resorts advertising in this publication,” he stated.

Augurs well
Minister Prashad asserted that this can only augur well for the future development of tourism in Guyana.

He said Guyana is not yet in the big league, adding, “But I think, we have turned the corner in terms of what we are promoting – eco tourism, nature tourism and adventure tourism”.

He said he is advised that tour operators are doing fairly well, and resorts in Iwokrama, Surama, Rockview and Karanambu as well, with a few booked until June 2010.

He recognised the expanded Georgetown map and alluded to the recent unveiling of a city map in Main Street, recalling, “As soon as we unveiled that map two weeks ago, two tourists came up whilst we were there and they were looking for directions. It came into use immediately.”

Classy guide
Describing the booklet as a “classy guide”, he said it is very handy capturing everything being promoted and talked about in tourism.

“I think I will urge my colleagues when they are travelling to take this with them, it is very important so that advertisers will see the benefits because they look at the advertising dollar and they always want value for money, but this goes beyond just advertising,” he said.

He noted that recently Kit Nascimento was awarded by his ministry and GTA for promoting yachting in Guyana.

He also observed that the country must be promoted in a very positive way, noting, “Tourism is not just the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce or GTA, or the people who are in the tourism business; tourism is everybody’s business.”

Minister Prashad also urged persons not to litter since it affects tourism, and people want to see a clean environment.

He took the opportunity to thank and laud the publisher and all involved for the initiative and vision in producing the magazine which “can only help to promote Guyana as a destination of choice”.