20 UG students complete City Tour Guide Training
MINISTRY of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) yesterday jointly hosted a presentation ceremony for the 20 participants in the recently concluded two-month long City Tour Guide Training Programme. The course was conducted in collaboration with Wilderness Explorers and those who participated were trained by renowned Guyanese tour guide, Mr. Paul Waldron.
At the function, in the Tourism Ministry, on South Road, Georgetown, GTA Director Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh said collaborating with Wilderness Explorers is yet another example of public/private partnership.
He said: “We have recognised the need to train and retain a sustainable pool of city tour guides to cater for the demand when cruise ships arrive and on other guided city tour opportunities.”
Haralsingh reminded that a number of training programmes were facilitated last year, including on customer service, taxi services, culinary skills, bookkeeping, as well as front-line duties for employees at Moleson Creek and Takutu border crossings.
He explained that tour guides play a critical role in managing and orchestrating the tourists’ experience, enhancing destination image and implementing the goals of responsible tourism, because what they interpret and present has a huge impact on the visitors’ perception of a place  and helps them understand the culture and engage in local activities.
Haralsingh congratulated those who took part on their achievement and assured them that tour guiding is a career path worth pursuing, as it is an important aspect of tourism interpretation, delivery and development.
In that context, he announced that the ministry plans to conduct similar exercises for guides at Kaieteur Falls, in The Rupununi and other places.
“This is an opportunity for each of you to obtain certification for each location, which will boost your guiding skills, knowledge and professional development,” Haralsingh emphasised.

OVERALL GROWTH
He encouraged other operators to cross-train their employees, who will also serve in the same capacity, to aid in the overall growth of the industry.
The tour guides were given the opportunity to test their skills in February when the Saga Pear 2 cruise ship docked in Guyana and they conducted city tours for the passengers.
Alluding to the success of this venture, Haralsingh noted that the feedback received was extremely positive and said it bodes well for the continuation of the initiative.
General Manager of Wilderness Explorers, Mrs. Teri O’Brien, lauded the collaborative efforts of the Tourism Ministry and GTA and acknowledged that the tourism industry requires partnership as Guyana is competing in a global market.
“Individually, we are insignificant, working together will help to form a strong national identity to promote Destination Guyana,” she stated.
O’Brien observed that the course was conducted in recognition of the growing tourism industry, with the aim of providing sufficient tour guides to match the influx of tourists.
“We decided to be proactive in our approach and, as such, came the idea to run the programme for the first to fourth year Tourism Studies UG (University of Guyana) students,” she added, pointing out that it encompassed a wide range of skills, with the majority of attention focused on the practical aspect of interactions with tourists.
O’Brien extended congratulations to all the participants for their determination and drive in completing the course and encouraged them to maintain the skills imparted.
They, in turn, expressed their gratitude for the chance to be involved in the growth and sustainability of the Guyana tourist industry.
“We are grateful to everyone involved for this chance and we feel privileged to be a part of this venture,” said one of the beneficiaries, Ms. Renita January.