THE Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with the Carnegie School of Home Economics, will be launching a series of training courses on ‘developing culinary skills in local cuisine’ commencing next month.

This was discussed and decided recently when Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Mr. Manniram Prashad met with Principal of the learning institution, Ms. Penelope Harris, at his South Road office, in Georgetown.

He said his ministry is committed to training and capacity building and wants to work this year in partnership with the Carnegie School to move the process forward, as Guyana is now attracting more visitors.

“Tourism is now recognised and more and more tourists are coming in,” he stated, noting that all the flights coming into Guyana were full during the holiday season.

The Minister said they are coming into the country to experience the different kind of tourism – eco, nature and adventure offers – and Guyana is now aiming at achieving international standards in the tourism services offered.

“What we have not been able to do is to showcase our culinary delights and the diversity of our cuisine ,” Minister Prashad observed.

He noted that related activities showcasing cuisines are carried out by the Pegasus Hotel and he hopes that other hotels might do the same thing.

Minister Prashad said that the first course will target some 25 persons from hotels, both small and large, across the regions.

He said presentation is also important and ‘makes a big difference’ and the ministry is looking at collaboration with the school to host food festivals during the year.

He said the second course will be in the areas of food and beverage services and his ministry and the Carnegie School of Home Economics can also look at partnering with other players in the industry to conduct advanced courses.

Also, Minister Prashad said his ministry is focusing fully on training and capacity building, and he assured that training programmes for frontline management, including Customs and Immigration Officers, front desk attendants and others, as well as taxi drivers, will be conducted.

He reiterated that Guyana is now on the map and people are coming now with over 45 international tour companies proactively selling Destination Guyana which is critical to tourism’s development and growth.

He also noted that his ministry is looking at tapping into emerging markets such as China, Brazil and Holland.

As the country continues to attract more attention with its immense tourism potential, at the end of November, Guyana had recorded a 7.5 per cent visitor increase over 2008 figures, making it a record breaking month with the highest figures since 1995, with the overall increase at the end of November 2009 being 8.8 per cent more.