THE Guyana Government is committed to creating the enabling environment and to working in partnership with the private sector – the engine of growth – to make Guyana the destination of choice for visitors, thereby consolidating the growth and development of tourism.
Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh, made this declaration during the launch of Tourism Awareness Month 2011, yesterday in the Ministry of Tourism’s boardroom.
Under the theme, ‘Achieving service excellence through training’, the month-long activities will begin on November 1 and last until November 30. All activities will be aimed at highlighting the accomplishments of the sector, disseminating information and education, and recognizing and rewarding individuals, communities and organisations for their sterling contributions to tourism development and promotion.
The plans, priorities and performances of the key stakeholders in the tourism sector will be reviewed, assessed and evaluated, and the challenges facing the industry will be addressed.
Mr. Haralsingh explained that tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the global economy, and it serves as a potent growth catalyst that can create high multiplier effects, leading to job creation, revenue generation, increased investments and an overall improvement in the quality of citizens’ lives.
As to the sector’s impact on the country, he had this to say: “The tourism sector has been growing and expanding in Guyana over the past 18 years. It is now at the point where international visitor arrivals reached 152,000 in 2010, the highest ever recorded; and it was a year in which we achieved the highest percentage (6.7%) increase in arrivals among the 34 members of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).”
He highlighted the many achievements made in 2011, which made it a very successful year for the industry, including the increase in arrival figures, Guyana’s representation at key trade shows around the world, cruise ship arrivals, private sector collaboration, the diversification of the tourism product, expansion of infrastructure to support tourism, and expansion in training and capacity building, among other things.
According to Haralsingh, while there are many reasons for the growth in tourism, it would be fair to say that the quality of service has played a significant part, hence the appropriateness of the theme.
“We recognise that service quality and excellence plays a major role in establishing, differentiating, and positioning Guyana as a premier tourist destination. It is for this reason that the Ministry of Tourism and the GTA, in partnership with USAID/GTIS and with the private sector and other stakeholders, (has) been focusing on training and capacity building,” he explained.
He urged all to use the month to explore, experience and enjoy Guyana; and to encourage their families, friends and all to do the same, and to use all means necessary to positively and proactively promote ‘Destination Guyana, the Amazon Adventure’.
He took the opportunity to also congratulate all the stakeholders for their confidence, investment and commitment to the promotion and development of tourism in Guyana.
Representatives from the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) were also present at the launching ceremony. They pledged their continued support towards the growth of the sector.
In commemoration of Tourism Awareness Month 2011, a number of activities have been planned countrywide. Key among these are customer service training across the sector, tour guide training, agro-tourism workshop, tourism investment seminar, launching of a dining guide, tourism awards ceremony, bartender cocktail competition, declaring the Botanical Gardens a bird sanctuary, and participation in the World Travel Market (WTM).
The Cortours Orealla Regatta, like the GMR&SC Motor Racing, will be held on November 13; the Bollywood Divas Super Concert will be staged on November 19; and the Rockstone Fish Festival will take place on November 20. These activities are all scheduled to encourage domestic tourism, and to attract more visitors to Guyana.