MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Mr. Manniram Prashad, describes 2010 as a record year for domestic tourism as thousands of Guyanese travelled, explored and discovered their own country. Making his presentation during the 2011 budget debate last week, Minister Prashad said domestic tourism is critical to the success of any destination.
He said over the past few years, the Ministry of Tourism has been encouraging Guyanese to travel, explore and discover their own country.
He announced that 2010 was a record year for domestic tourism promotions, as thousands of Guyanese travelled to various destinations [attractions and events] within Guyana, working in tandem with the private sector which offered opportunities and reasons for locals to travel.
He alluded to the excellent road network and the Berbice Bridge, along with booming vehicle ownership helping to boost accessibility and local travel.
Some of the areas and events that recorded increase visits locally, he said were Kaieteur Falls, #63 Beach, Surama, Iwokrama, Karanambu, Yupukari, Rewa, Cow Falls and Wanatobo Resort, Moruca and Wakenaam Expos, the Rockstone Fish Festival, the Pakaraima Mountain Safari, Bartica, Mainstay and Orealla Regattas, Rodeo and Rupununi Expo, and GuyExpo.
He said his ministry has encouraged event planners to organise cluster entertainment events during the Easter, August and Christmas holidays, to boost and complement the tourism experience.
Prashad said his ministry actively promotes and coordinates events across the country to boost the ‘feel good factor’ for our locals and visitors alike.

He said 2010 was an excellent year in which the ministry achieved greater diversification and tourism expansion in key areas, including bird-watching, as ‘Destination Guyana’ is now one of the hottest new bird-watching destinations, being described as “a bird-watcher’s paradise”.
Other areas he touched on were eco-tourism, adventure tourism, wildlife watching, community-based tourism, agro-tourism, sports tourism, yachting and cruise visits, and sport fishing.
He said sport fishing has tremendous potential for Guyana, hence a sport fishing plan is currently being developed by the Ministry of Tourism and the GTA and several investors have expressed an interest in investing in this area.
He spoke of a recent visit by Costa Del Mar, Osearch, and Nervous Waters, along with the International Game Fishing Association to conduct feasibility studies of the country’s sport fishing potential.

HOSPITALITY
The minister said last year the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority trained in excess of 400 persons in the hospitality industry.
Training was conducted in the area of tour guiding, events management, events planning, packaging and distribution, culinary, book-keeping and customer service training for staffers in the hospitality sector, he outlined.
Training in 2011 is to be expanded so “as to boost our reputation as a warm, friendly, hospitable and welcoming people and destination”.

He said Guyana has seen an increase in the number of new investments within the tourism sector over the past year.
Some of these are new guest facilities at Kaieteur and Tukeit; the new spa at Princess Hotel; new hotels and guest houses; new restaurants such Hibiscus, Coffee Bean Café and Eatery and Nal’s Food Court; new and renovated lodges; acquisition of additional small aircraft; and new taxi services.
He said there are also improved infrastructure to support tourism such as the Berbice and Takutu Bridges; Ogle Airport;  new Olympic sized swimming pool; improved telecommunications; and new facilities at the # 63 Beach.
Minister Prashad said this year will see the implementation and enforcement of the tourism regulations to ensure the improvement of quality, standards, service, and safety in the hospitality sector, “boosting our competitiveness and satisfying visitor expectations”.
He also noted that the Taxi Service Association of Guyana formally adopted the taxi drivers code of ethics which was drafted in consultation with the association and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Additionally, he announced that in February, Sustainable Travel International will be in Guyana to conduct a workshop on eco certification for lodges.
He said too that the ministry and the GTA have been making strides by strengthening working relations with the Private Sector in Guyana and international organisations as well.