GUYANA’S participation at international events has been proving advantageous with the country’s image as a viable tourism destination seeing significant improvement over the years, so much so it is now being compared with Peru in terms of its birding potential given its approximate 800 species. Director of Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh will lead the country’s largest delegation ever to the World Travel Market (WTM), the world’s second largest travel trade show where over 5000 companies will be showcased from November 8 to 11 in ExCel London.
GTA, in a press release, says Guyana will be joining with Suriname at the event, as it has a reciprocal arrangement with the Suriname Tourism Foundation, for Guyana’s participation made last January at the Vakantiebeurs Trade Show in Holland.
The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Wilderness Explorers, Princess Hotel, Wonderland Tours, Hurakabra Resort, Wings Aviation, Rupununi Trails, Iwokrama, Rockview Lodge, and Surama will be in the  Guyana contingent.
WTM is an annual, vibrant, must-attend business-to-business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to the United Kingdom (UK) and international travel professionals.
Guyana has been attending WTM for over 10 years and this year, ‘Guyana – the Amazon Adventure’ has doubled its booth space to accommodate the growing participation and interest. Guyana’s booth (CA 200) will be located strategically in the Caribbean Village.
Haralsingh will be attending a special Directors of Tourism meeting hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), and will be conducting interviews with Judy Chung Dennison JCD (TV series Caribbean Passport) and Liberty TV among others.
GTA says Guyana will be also using the opportunity to launch the Explore Guyana 2011 magazine, and Dr. Graham Watkins will be introducing his book, ‘Rupununi: Rediscovering a Lost World’, while Series Producer of ‘Serious Explorers’, Mr. Marshall Corwin will be in Guyana’s booth to talk about the upcoming BBC ten-part series retracing the footsteps of Sir Walter Raleigh for the fabled City of Gold El Dorado.
For the first time, Guyana attended the Vakantiebeurs Trade Show in Holland last January, and took part in the Shanghai World Expo in China, both of which are emerging markets.
Guyana also recently attended the Suriname Tourism Fair (Surifest). Today, with a market-led approach, Guyana has increased its distribution network with close to 100 international companies proactively selling the destination, according to GTA.
Guyana has been featured and highlighted in various popular international publications like the Daily Telegraph, Americas Magazine, Wanderlust Magazine, Birdwatch Magazine, Travel Mail, and Lime Magazine, and gained tremendous exposure through shows such as BBC three-part series – ‘The Lost Land of the Jaguar’, popular United States reality television show ‘Reel and Birding Adventures’ and WSEE TV and One Caribbean Weather. (GINA)