DIRECTOR of Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh maintains that adherence to the tourism regulations in Guyana is crucial if the industry is to remain competitive. In support of the drive to ensure that more businesses comply with regulations, the GTA continued its Regulations Awareness Outreach exercise, on Monday June 9, and met with several tourism establishment proprietors in Region 6.
This session, according to a GTA release, yesterday,  formed part of a series of seminars which were conducted by the Authority over the past month, leading up to the registration deadline which was set for July 10th, 2012 by Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Irfaan Ali.
Singh reminded that the tourism industry/sector is very competitive and visitors’ expectations are very high and demanding.
In this regard, it becomes imperative for service providers to meet and/or exceed expectations at all times, and compliance with the set standards and regulations will help them compete in the areas of quality, service, cleanliness, operations, safety, etc.
He said, “We must deliver consistency in standards and regulations and quality. The tourism regulations will help the industry to be competitive and raise the bar on standards and excellence.”
“The passing of the regulations is a great achievement for the tourism industry. Indeed, it is a milestone that we have achieved…,” the GTA Director continued.
He said the primary areas where regulations would be applied are accommodation establishments, tour operators, interior resorts and lodges and tour guides.
In accordance with the Guyana Tourism Act 2002 Cap 91:12, Section 32 (1) – “No person shall operate any tourism business except under and in accordance with a licence issued by the Authority”.

BUSINESSES ENCOURAGED
Meanwhile, Minister Ali continues to urge  stakeholders to comply with the regulations and guidelines set out in the GTA Act No.3 of 2002, to ensure the further growth and success of the tourism industry.
The ministry, he said, has been working with the private sector and other stakeholders to implement new ideas to attract visitors and tourists to Guyana, including the ‘Re-discover Home’ initiative that has seen an increase of 25 percent in the arrival rate for first quarter of this year. In this regard, he said hotels, lodges and guest houses have reported an increase in bookings for the same period.
However, Ali acknowledged that the same period also reflects an increase in complaints from visitors.
“This is where regularization and standardization come in…we would have to let the visitors know the difference between what we would classify as the high end, medium and small resorts and hotels…so when visitors pay their money they would know what to expect,” Ali explained.
He also explained that the enforcement of regulations is not meant to curtail business or create uneven competition, but to lead the industry to standards, which would allow the local stakeholders to sell their tourism products under one umbrella.
Tour operators, tour guides and proprietors of resorts, lodges and hotels were given until July 10, 2012 get registered with the GTA as stipulated in the authority’s Act of 2002.
The act provides GTA with the responsibility of licensing tour operators, inspecting hotels, guest houses and lodges.
The Authority is therefore reminding all Tourism Accommodation Establishments (hotels, apartments, guest-houses and inns), Interior Lodges and Resorts, Tour Operators and Tour Guides to kindly register with the Guyana Tourism Authority.
According to the GTA Director, over 80 hotels, resorts, tour operators have so far registered with the Authority.
Persons are also being encouraged to visit the GTA’s website at www.guyana-tourism.com or call the office on 219 0094-6 for more information.