…part of ongoing School Awareness Programme
THE Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) this week hosted its first set of school talks for the year, as part of their ongoing School Awareness Programme. This is part of the efforts by the Tourism Ministry and GTA to educate and bring public awareness about Guyana’s tourism product and its positive impacts on our country.
Between April 11 and 13, 2011, staff of GTA covered ten schools in Regions Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice): New Amsterdam Multilateral, Rosignol Secondary, Linden Foundation, McKenzie High School, Hope Secondary, Bygeval Secondary, Covent Garden, Diamond Secondary, South Ruimveldt Secondary and Richard Ishmael Secondary.
A statement from the ministry said the main objectives of the school awareness programme are to introduce students to the concept of tourism and highlight the benefits of working in this growing industry, as well as creating a database of student volunteers interested in participating in events.
The highly interactive sessions focused on tourism and its importance to the country; Guyana’s tourism attractions; GTA’s role and key responsibilities; and importantly the presentation covered what role students can play in tourism; and career opportunities within the sector.
Some 1000 students, mainly fourth and fifth formers, were encouraged to help promote ‘Guyana – the Amazon Adventure’ as they are young ambassadors of tourism and the future of the tourism industry and Guyana as a whole.
The children received tourism materials such as pencils, books, posters and file folders, and during a question and answer segment, they were also given an opportunity to win special prizes like Mike Charles ‘Wild Guyana’ DVD, Destination Guyana wrist bands and Explore Guyana magazines for answering questions on Guyana’s unique eco, nature and adventure tourism product.
A folder containing collateral materials on Guyana’s tourism product along with a copy of Wild Guyana and a Bradt Guide was presented to each school.
“The GTA, through its continuous marketing and promotional mandate, seeks to fully promote our local tourism product and creating widespread awareness on tourism and its importance to our citizens, hence, a series of school talks will be held throughout the year countrywide,” the ministry stated.