ENCOURAGING trends are indicative of growing confidence in Guyana as a tourism destination and point to the success of the marketing and promotion by the Ministry of Tourism, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and other industry stakeholders, Minister with the portfolio, Mr. Manniram Prashad said yesterday. He said this country has, rapidly, been gaining recognition in the international arena as it begins to realise its true tourism potential as an ideal destination with its beauty, rich cultural heritage and natural attractions.

According to him, Guyana’s tourism industry is a relatively young one but is, nevertheless, distinct in offering adventure and eco-tourism, unlike most of the Caribbean islands which offer the traditional sun, sand and sea.
Prashad noted a growing inclination towards the adventure/eco-type tourism and said “it is a plus for our destination, which is gifted with diverse and amazing flora and fauna and stunning geographic landscape, as the country boasts more than 80 per cent of untouched rainforest, making it one of the countries with the highest biodiversity in the world.”
He reported that, compared to 2009, in January, 2010, there was a 13.9 per cent increase in arrivals, an 8.5 per cent decline in February. a 13.6 per cent rise in March, seven per cent more in April, 7.8 per cent upward movement in May, 5.6 per cent higher in June, a 9.3 per cent hike in July and 11.5 per cent greater in August.

Highest figures
In addition, last month, arrivals rose by 5.2 per cent over last year November, making it another record breaking month with the highest figures since 1995, an overall 7.3 per cent more arrivals for the year, to date, than in 2009.
He alluded to the hosting of several familiarisation (FAM) trips and attendance at key trade fairs, such as the International Travel Bourst (ITB) in Berlin, Germany; British Bird Watching Fair and, only recently, Guyana’s largest delegation ever attended the World Travel Market, during Tourism Awareness Month in November.
Prashad disclosed that, for the first time, Guyana was represented at the Vakantiebeurs Trade Show in Holland, last January.
“We also promoted our beautiful country at the Shanghai World Expo in China, an emerging market that we are well positioned to tap into,” he stated.
Prashad said those places are all market driven and about the most effective for marketing and promoting Guyana.
He said Government has been working along with Private Sector players to move tourism forward and Guyana’s has taken off,  being a recognised and known destination now.
The country has also become an attractive meeting and conference destination, hosting a number of national, regional and international gatherings.
In July and August it hosted, among other events, Wakenaam Night, Jamzone Summer Break, Lake Mainstay Summer Regatta, Bartica Regatta, Berbice Expo, International Building Expo, Lil Champs of India Concert, Miss Mahdia Pageant, Emancipation celebrations, reunions, cricket and Bikers Fest and, in September, duck curry competition and motor racing.

Distribution network
He also pointed out that, with a market-led approach, Guyana has increased its distribution network, having close to 100 international companies pro-actively selling the destination.
Prashad said the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), championed by President Bharrat Jagdeo, has helped, as well, to place this country in the international limelight, with him receiving the United Nations Environment Programme ‘Champion of the Earth’ award.
In addition, 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.
“We have gained tremendous exposure through shows such as the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) three-part series – ‘The Lost Land of the Jaguar’, popular United States reality television show ‘Reel and Birding Adventures’ and WSEE TV One Caribbean Weather,” he reminded.
Next January, a BBC team will begin shooting for a ten-part series called ‘Serious Explorers’, retracing the footsteps of Sir Walter Raleigh for the fabled City of Gold El Dorado.
Red Bull Media House, which is producing a documentary on the famous Mount Roraima, has already filmed a part and will return, shortly, to continue shooting for the production.
‘Destination Guyana’ will be featured in a new book called ‘101 Amazing Adventures of the World’, by popular British film producer and creative director, Russell Malkin, expected to be released in March/April 2011.
Well- known British writer, Sally Emerson, who was recently in Guyana, has been commissioned, by the Sunday Times, to pen an article on the local destination.

Natural magnet
Minister Prashad recalled that, only recently, at the Fourth Annual Tourism Awards ceremony, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Mr. Hugh Riley deemed Guyana as a “natural magnet for serious vacationers” and said it is an incredible story waiting to unfold.  
Prashad said 2009 was a successful year for tourism locally, with a record breaking year for arrivals, receiving nine per cent more than 2008 arrivals.
A CTO report said, only four countries, Guyana, Cuba, Jamaica and Saba registered an increase for the year 2009, with Guyana topping those figures.
Prashad said he is optimistic that Destination Guyana will see another record breaking year for arrivals.
With several major activities slated for this Christmas season, such as concerts, the Main Big Lime and Kashif and Shanghai football tournament, he said: “We are expecting to pull many visitors to our country including persons from the Diaspora.”