– Participants trained by GTA
Guyana’s tourism sector is expanding as Government continues to partner with communities in selling their tourism product. Many grand activities, including Wakenaam Nite, that are on the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce’s calendar of events have lead to the growth in domestic tourism.
Since 2006, the Rockstone Fish Festival has been an annual event which attracts hundreds of visitors and the Ministry is working towards incorporating it in their calendar of events. To accomplish this, the Ministry and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) are partnering with the Rockstone Tourism Authority (RTA) in building the capacity of Rockstone residents.
In light of the event being scheduled for October 30 and 31, a team from GTA, including its Deputy Director Tameca Sukdeo-Singh, Operations Manager of Iwokrama International Rainforest Centre Paul Waldron, and Supervisor Catering Department of Carnegie School of Home Economics Joy-Ann Harry on Sunday trained 30 residents in Customer Service, Tour Guiding, and Culinary skills at Arawana Lodge, Rockstone.
It was noted that the Ministry and GTA have been in discussion with RTA since August and as a result, the training sessions were held in those three areas.
While for visitors Rockstone Fish Festival is an exciting event for persons to enjoy themselves with friends and family, the residents utilise it for economic gains. Many of them get involved in vending and for this they were trained in customer services.
Sukdeo-Singh, who facilitated this interactive and entertaining session , indicated to the participants that customer service is integral to the success of any event.
She highlighted that the presentation of items for sale, including food, particularly fish, must be of a high standard. Vendors must have pleasant personalities, and the environment must be clean and tidy for the retention of customers throughout the event.
Most of the participants who benefitted from customer services training were also involved in the culinary session. Harry highlighted that knife skill is pertinent to any chef and is different from what is executed in the home.
“The participation was good, they were very receptive and eager to learn, and some of them were even trying to do the various cuts,” Harry stated.
The participants were also exposed to garnishing which is vital in the presentation of food.
Besides fishing and other water sport, many visitors tour the river and the area which has forested lands. To enhance this aspect, participants were trained in tour guiding.
Waldron, who also had an interactive session with the participants, provided them with key guidelines on how to be an efficient tour guide. He highlighted that this is mainly about communication.
Participants were given tips on how to welcome and meet and greet tourists, and were reminded that personal presentation and hygiene are essential in the tour guiding business.
Being a tour guide comes with many responsibilities and as such they were informed of how to react to emergencies.
Last year, the Rockstone Fish Festival attracted more than 2,000 visitors and it is anticipated that over 3,000 will attend this year’s. (GINA)